Explanations Of Attachment

Question 1

Cupboard love theory

Answer 1

Aka the learning theory of attachment

Question 2

Learning theory

Answer 2

The concept that all behaviour is learnt rather than inborn. But forward by behaviourists who suggest everything is learnt through classical ro operant conditioning

Question 3

Classical conditioning

Answer 3

How the attachment if formed. When 2 stimuli occur together, we learn to associate them

Question 4

Classical conditioning study

Answer 4

Pavlov taught dogs to salivate when they heard the bell

Question 5

Describe how classical conditioning is linked to attachment s

Answer 5

Before a is learnt, attachment gains pleasure through being fed, when the infant is being fed, they associate the caregiver with the food. Therefore infant gains pleasure when caregiver is present

Question 6

Operant conditioning

Answer 6

How the attachment is maintained

Question 7

Positive reinforcement

Answer 7

Increases the likelihood of the behaviour being repeated

Question 8

Positive reinforcement in attachment

Answer 8

Crying leads to a response from the caregiver, the baby learns to direct crying to caregiver so caregiver responds with social suppressor - most likely food

Question 9

Negative reinforcement

Answer 9

Increases likelihood of behaviour being repeated to avoid something unpleasant

Question 10

Negative reinforcement in attachment

Answer 10

Babies cries so moth feeds the baby to stop the crying. Mums more likely to feed the baby to avoid repeated crying

Question 11

Primary drive

Answer 11

An innate drive that motivates the baby to reduce it.

Question 12

Advantages of learning theory

Answer 12

Practical explanations, if attachments are formed through observation and imitation, parent classes from those struggling to form attachment, improves quality of life

Question 13

Weakness of learning theory

Answer 13

Schaffer and Emerson found that babies weren’t necessarily most attached to person that fed them, babies may form attachments for reasons other than conditioning
Oversimplified bevause ignores other factors such as genetics, ignored other reasoning which could be considered more important
Based on animals, emotions can’t compare

Question 14

Bowlbys theory is seen as an evolutionary theory bevause

Answer 14

It suggests that attachment is innate and has survival advantages. Imprinting and attachment behaviour promotes survival by meaning the parent and child keep a close relationships helping them so they are more likely to survive

Question 15

Monotropy

Answer 15

A child makes an attachment to one caregiver that is different from all others or central importance

Question 16

Bowlby argued the more time spent with the mother figure is better because

Answer 16

Law of continuity and law of accumulated separation

Question 17

Law of continuity

Answer 17

The more predictable and constant a child’s care, the better their quality of attachment

Question 18

Law of accumulated separation

Answer 18

The effects of every separation add up

Question 19

Social releases

Answer 19

Cute behaviours such as smiling and cooing to trigger adults attachment system so they feel love for the baby

Question 20

Sensitive period

Answer 20

If attachment isn’t formed in first 2 years, it’s mulch harder to form one

Question 21

Internal working model

Answer 21

Models what relationships are like and therefore has a powerful effect on the nature of the child’s future, impact on later relationships

Question 22

Strength of social releasers

Answer 22

Brazleton found evidence for social releasers, when parents ignored social releasers, babies became upset. Supporting bowlbys idea that social releasers are important in eliciting caregiving

Question 23

Evaluation of monotropy

Answer 23

Advantages of internal working model bailey et al interviewed mothers about their relationships with their mothers. Link between both qualities of attachment. Supports idea that internal working model is passed through families

Question 24

Evaluation of monotropy

Answer 24

Schaffer and Emerson supported bowlbys claim that infants usually form one main attachment BUT some babies form multiple attachments so increased/reduced validity

Question 25

Disadvantages of bowlbys monotropic theory

Answer 25

Socially sensitive research, tempremntal differences- genetically influenced personality

Question 26

Weakness of sensitive period

Answer 26

Czech twins, isolated from brith until the age of 7, fully recovered suggests early attachments aren’t as important as bowbky suggest, and critical period is more flexible