explanations of attachment

Question 1

Dollard and Miller learning theory of attachment

Answer 1

• before learning mother NS produces no response from baby and food UCS produces satisdied feeling UCR
• during learning food is paired with mother to create a contented baby
• mother CS alone creates satisfied feeling CR
  suggests we become attached to mother due to classical conditioning

Question 2

classical conditioning evaluation

Answer 2

• D&M state that by their first birthday infants have been fed approx 2000 times so allows a great deal of opportunity for an association with mother and food = highly likely it happens
• however Schaffer and Emerson found in 39% of cases the mother was the main carer but not infants PAF = feeding is not the sole explanation of attachment
• Lorenz showed attachment in geese forms before any food is given so its innate not learned and harlow showed food alone is not enough=cant seperate contact food

Question 3

operant learning conditioning

Answer 3

explains why babies cry for comfort as crying leads to a response from caregiver e.g feeding so aslong as caregiver gives right response crying is reinforced - baby then directs crying to caregiver - two way process as caregiver recieves negative reinforcement by avoiding crying

Question 4

evaluation of operant learning conditioning

Answer 4

• assumes babies behave selfishly so doesnt consider social+emotional factors in development and infants form attachments to people who dont feed them
• research shows attachment is associated with reciprocity and interactional synchrony not feeding alone
• other theories eg SLT

Question 5

bowlbys monotropic theory AO1

Answer 5

attachment is a vital adaptive behaviour that has evolved to increase survival, 2 concepts: critical period and internal working model
-attachment is instinctive and takes place during a critical period from birth to 2.5 yrs
-monotropic theory=mother and infant attachment is unique and forms an internal working model for how the childs relationship
-continuety hypothesis is then idea that early relationships with caregiver predict later relationships in adulthood

Question 6

bowlby monotropic theory strengths

Answer 6

• universal-Ainsworth observed Ganda tribe of Uganda and found infants form 1 paf even when reared by multiple carers which suggests the instinct to form a monotropic attachment is innate as they showed thr behaviour before it was learnt
• important contribution to early knowledge of attachment-helped parents and professionals support a childs social and emotional development

Question 7

bowlby monotropic theory weaknesses

Answer 7

• importance of monotropy is overemphasised - non monotropic attachments can be just as vital - Schaffer and Emerson found monotropy is not often seen in real life + Ljzendoorn & Tavecchio argue a stable network of adults can provide better care than just the mother
• Rutter argues no such thing as maternal instinct
• neglects role of the father, gender biased, lacks temporal validity as child rearing practices have changed + increase in mothers work
• Kagan ‘temperament hypothesis, doesnt consider genetically influenced personality, some babies are more anxious/sociable as a result of genetic makeup which may explain adult behaviour better