Explanations of attachment

Question 1

describe the social learning theory via classical conditioning

Answer 1

• milk (UNCS) -> pleasure (UNCR)
• feeder (NS) + milk (UNCS) -> pleasure (UNCR)
• association = repition
• feeder (CS) -> pleasure (CR)

Question 2

describe the social learning theory via operant conditioning

Answer 2

• learning behaviour through rewards, reinforcements and punishments.
• (+) reinforcement - If rewarded for behaviour, behaviour will be repeated to gain the same reward.
• (-) reinforcement - if punished behaviour will stop

Question 3

AO3 for learning theory of attachment

Answer 3

environmental reductionism

• red complex hum beh to simp bas units learning through stim,resp, assoc
• neglects holistic app, take in account soc+cult context
• families may work together to look after kids, may form multiple attachments
• Therefore, may lack validity not understand beh in context

RTC by Harlow

• more time w cloth monkey (comfort) than wire monkey ( food)
• theorists believed non human equal to human
• Therefore contradicting the learning theory assumption, attach to someone who feeds us via assoc
  COUNTER - on animals not humans

RTC by schaffer

• form attachment to mum regardless, attachment more due to response to baby and interacting
• Furthermore Field role of father, best quality attachment are w caregivers that are sensitive and responsive
• Therefore feeding not most important

Question 4

Describe Bowlbys monotropic theory (ASCMI)

Answer 4

• Adaptive: attachment is innate system to improve survival
• social releasers: smiling, crying, looking cute triggers response in caregiver, ensures interaction
• Crit period: if attachment doesnt take place during period first 2.5yrs then no attachment
• Monotropy: emphasis on child attachment to one caregiver, most important attachment in child development. the mother, but said it didn’t need to be the biological mother.
• internal working model: ‘mental representation’ child forms of rship with their prim caregiver, serves as template for what rships are like

Question 5

AO3 for Bowlby Mono theory

Answer 5

RTS Lorenz

• studied imprinting on Goslings found crit period 12-17hrs which imprinting had to take place
• supports crit period concepts, infants must attach within first 2.5yrs or hard making attachment
• Therefore strengthening mono theory

RTC internal working model, Hazan and shaver

• created love quiz,
• found secure attached = happy, long lasting rship
  insecure attached = hard to form rships, divorced
• supports IWM as feature of Bowlby mono theory, first rships act as template for future rships

However was a questionnaire, present better light

Alt explanation is learning theory

• proposes we learn to attach to feeder via stim, resp, assoc
• rather than attachment being innate gives us survival adv due to triggering caring instincts
• therefore mono theory not only expl of why and how infants attach