Explanations for learning Flashcards
What does learning theory propose?
All behaviour is learned rather than innate - children are born ‘blank slates’
Who suggested classical conditioning and what is it?
Pavlov
Learning through association, a neutral stimulus is consistently paired with an unconditioned stimulus so that it eventually takes on properties of this stimulus and is able to produce a conditioned response
How does classical conditioning link to attachment?
Food is an unconditioned stimulus - pleasure is an unconditioned response - during infants early weeks/months certain things (the mother) become associated due to being present at time of feeding - now becomes a conditioned response where even seeing just the person produces pleasure
Who proposed operant conditioning and what is it?
Skinner
Learning through reinforcement
What is Dollard and Miller’s drive reduction theory?
Drive is something that motivate behaviour - the infants drive is reduce discomfort of being hungry
What is negative reinforcement?
Escaping the unpleasant behaviour is rewarding
What is a primary and secondary reinforcer?
Primary - the food because it supplies the reward (pleasure)
Secondary - the person who supplies the food - associated with avoiding discomfort
Why does operant conditioning lead to attachment?
The child seeks the person who can supply the reward
Who suggested social learning theory and what is it?
Bandura
Learning through observing other and imitating behaviours that are rewarded
What did Hay and Jo Vespo suggest about social learning and attachment?
The children observe their parents’ affectionate behaviour and imitate this + parents reward appropriate attachment behaviours such as giving kisses and hugs
What is a major criticism of learning theory? (animals)
Largely based on animal studies e.g. Skinners research with pigeons
They argue that humans are no different to animals in respect to learning things however, arguably this is limited because not all human behaviour, especially something as complex as attachment
Non-behaviourists argue that attachment involves innate predispositions and mental activity that could not be explained by conditioning
- Lack VALIDITY and OVERSIMPLIFIED
Why can it be argued attachment is not based on food?
Strong evidence feeding has noting to do with attachment
e.g. Harlows study showed monkey were attached to the ‘mother’ who provided contact comfort, not food - supported by Shaffer and Emersons research
What is a strength go learning theory?
It can explain some aspects of attachment - infants do learn through associated but food may not be the main reinforcer e.g. may be responsiveness and attention from caregiver that are the important rewards - perhaps they imitate this and learn how to conduct relationships
Learning theory may not provide a complete explanation of attachment but still has some value
Why is drive reduction theory limited?
Can only explain a number of behaviours - there are many behaviours people do that actually increase discomfort e.g. bungee jumping
Does not explain secondary reinforcers properly as secondary forcers do not directly reduce discomfort e.g. money - does not reduce discomfort but is motivating and rewarding
