Explanations Of Attachment Flashcards
Evaluate learning theory as an explanation for attachment
Limitation - Counter-evidence from animal research
E.g. - Lorenz’s geese imprinted before they fed & maintained these attachments regardless of feeder. Harlow’s monkeys attached to soft surrogate in preference to wire one that dispensed milk
Ex. - In both studies its clear attachment doesn’t develop as result of feeding. Same must be true for humans, e.g. food doesn’t create attachment bond - learning theorists believed animals & humans were equivalent
Limitation - Counter-evidence from human studies
E.g. - In Schaffer & Emerson study many of babies developed primary attachment to their biological mother even though other carers did most of feeding
Ex. - Problems for learning theory as they show feeding isn’t key element to attachment & so there’s no unconditioned stimulus or primary drive involved
Limitation - Learning theory ignores other factors associated with forming attachments
E.g. - Research into early infant-caregiver interactions suggests quality of attachment associated with factors like developing reciprocity & good levels of interactional synchrony. Also studies shown best quality attachments are with sensitive carers that pick up infant signals & respond appropriately
Ex. - Hard to reconcile findings with idea of cupboard love. If attachment developed purely or primarily as result of feeding, there’d be no purpose for these complex interactions & CI wouldn’t relate to quality of infant-caregiver attachment
How could operant conditioning be used to explain attachment?
Involves learning to repeat theory behaviour, or not, depending on its consequences
Explains why babies cry comfort:
Crying leads to response from caregiver, e.g. feeding
As long as caregiver responds correctly, crying reinforced, then baby directs crying for comfort towards caregiver, who responds with comforting ‘social suppressor’ behaviour
Reinforcement = 2 way process - caregiver gets negative reinforcement when crying stops
How can attachment be explained as drive reduction
Hunger = primary drive: innate, biological motivator, we’re motivated to eat to reduce hunger drive
Sears et al. (1957) - As caregivers provide food, primary drive of hunger becomes generalised to them
Attachment = secondary drive learned by association between caregiver & satisfaction of primary drive
Evaluate the learning theory explanation for attachment
LIMITATION - Counter evidence from animal studies
E.g. - Lorenz’s geese imprinted on first moving object they saw regardless whether object associated with food. Harlow’s research also concluded there’s no support for importance of food, as monkey’s preferred contact comfort of cloth mother rather than milk-dispensing wire model
Ex. - Shows factors other than association with food are important in formation of attachments
LIMITATION - Counter-evidence from studies on humans
E.g. - Schaffer & Emerson (1964) found babies tended to form main attachment to mum regardless if she didn’t usually feed them.
Ex. - Suggests food isn’t main factor in formation of human attachments
STRENGTH - Some elements of conditioning may be involved
E.g. - Unlikely association with food plays central role in attachment, but may still play role.
Example, baby may associate feeling warm & comfortable in presence of particular adult & could influence baby’s choice of main attachment figure.
Ex. - Learning theory may still be useful in understanding development of attachments
HOWEVER - Learning theory imply baby takes passive role in attachment development, just reacting to stimulus, but research they play very active role in interactions producing attachment.
Ex. - conditioning may not be adequate explanation of any aspect of attachment
How does classical conditioning explain attachment?
Involves learning to associate 2 stimuli together so we begin to respond to one in same way we already responded to other
UCS = food & UCR = pleasure
NS = caregiver, but becomes associated with food over time so when baby sees person there’s expectation of food - NS = caregiver & produces pleasure, which learning theorists believe is love
