Explanations Of Attachment

Question 1

Learning theory- Classical conditioning

Answer 1

• Learning through association by repeated parings of unconditioned stimulus and neutral stimulus.
• Unconditioned stimulus= Unconditioned response (food=love).
• Unconditioned stimulus+ neutral stimulus= unconditioned response (food+caregiver=love).
• Conditioned stimulus= Conditioned response (caregiver=love).

Question 2

Learning theory- Operant conditioning

Answer 2

• Learnt through consequence.
• Positive reinforcement- Pleasure from the food (primary reinforcer) increases attachment to the caregiver providing food (secondary reinforcer).
• Negative reinforcement- Food removes the hunger drive, thus increasing the attachment to the caregiver (secondary reinforcer) providing the negative reinforcement.

Question 3

Learning theory- Two model process

Answer 3

• Classical conditioning creates the attachment.
• Operant conditioning maintains and strengthens the attachment formed.

Question 4

Learning theory evaluation- Lack of research support (criticism)

Answer 4

• Lack of research support.
• Ev- Evidence from classical conditioning from Pavlov’s dogs.
• Ex- This research is not related at all to attachment. Therefore can’t say humans attach because of associating food with their mother. It ignores the role of emotions and language.
• However, its reductionist to assume all attachment is due to cupboard love (love due to food).

Question 5

Learning theory evaluation- Reductionist to assume attachment is due to cupboard love (criticism)

Answer 5

• However, its reductionist to assume all attachment is due to cupboard love (love due to food).
• Ev- Harlow proved that monkeys prefer comfort over food. If learning theory was correct monkeys should have preferred the wire monkey with the bottle to the cloth monkey.
• Ev- Therefore, learning theory is a poor explanation of attachment. It is too simplistic to think we only attach because of who feeds us. However, it would be neglect to not provide emotional support (comfort) and social interactions. Therefore, humans need more than food.
• On the other hand, it does explain how we form multiple attachments.

Question 7

Learning theory evaluation- Does explain how we form multiple attachments (support)

Answer 7

• On the other hand, it does explain how we form multiple attachments.
• Ev- We can attach to whoever feeds us (grandparents, mothers and fathers).
• Ex- Therefore, it explains how attachments are formed with multiple caregivers, maternal and paternal figures. Unlike Bowlby’s monotrophic theory which assumes that the maternal caregiver is the most important rather than fathers.
• However, learning theory assumes that attachment is environmental- ignore evolution. If all mammals have a need to attach it suggests a universal and biological explanations. Undermines learning theory.

Question 8

Bowlby’s monotrophic theory

Answer 8

• Attachment is innate, evolution due to social releases (big eyes, small nose).
• The monotrophy figure (one main maternal caregiver) creates a secure base.
• A secure base is when the child feels safe to explore the world.
• This occurs in a sensitive/critical period, 0-18months.
• During this period the infants internal working model forms, a template for future relationships whereby they feel loved and can trust others.
• This then continues into adulthood and passed on through generations, known as the continuity hypothesis.

Question 9

Bowlby’s theory evaluation- Research support for innate and critical period (support)

Answer 9

• Research support for innate and the critical period.
• Ev- Lorenz. Goslings imprinted within the fixed critical period.
• Ex- This supports the idea that attachment is innate and has evolved to survive.
• However, Lorenz proved a critical period with precocial animals. Bowlby suggested a more sensitive period 0-18months as humans are altricial and have more gradual development.

Question 10

Bowlby’s theory evaluation- Research support for monotrophy figure (support)

Answer 10

• Research support for the monotrophy figure.
• Ev- Schaffer and Emerson- by 7months old formed their main specific attachment to 1 caregiver. 65% was the mother.
• Ex- This supports Bowlby’s theory that its the first attachment with one main caregiver that is the most important in developing the internal working model, a template for adulthood and future relationships.
• However, Schaffer and Emerson also said that 10-11months, multiple attachments are formed, which criticises Bowlby’s theory. Though, Bowlby accepts multiple attachments but they are not important in developing the secure attachment for future healthy relationships.

Question 11

Bowlby’s theory evaluation- Research support for continuity hypothesis (support)

Answer 11

• Research support for continuity hypothesis.
• Ev- Hazan and Shaver- love quiz. Positive correlation between childhood attachment and adulthood attachment.
• Ex- Proves that our attachment type continues into adulthood and effects future relationships as secure attachments are more likely to have long lasting relationships, insecure are more likely to divorce and have mental health issues.
• However, this evidence is self report and retrospective, assumes that people can accurately recall their childhood. Secondly, it is hard determinism. It means that attachment can’t change mental health issues.