Explanations of attachment Flashcards
What are the two explanations?
1) Learning theory
2) Bowlby’s monotropic theory
What are the two features of learning theory?
1) Classical conditioning
2) Operant conditioning
AO1: Classical conditioning
Milk is an unconditioned stimulus which produces an unconditioned response of pleasure. This response is automatic and unlearnt. The feeder is the neutral stimulus. Through repeated feeding the infant associates the feeder with food and pleasure. The feeder becomes the conditioned stimulus, the sight of the feeder indicates to the child they’re getting fed, which produces the conditioned response of pleasure by the infant. This is the basis of attachment as the infant seeks to be near the feeder.
AO1: Operant conditioning
What are the evaluations for learning theory? (3)
- PEEL
- PEEL + counter argument
- PEEL
1) Environmental reductionism
2) RTC Harlow + counter argument: animal bias
3) RTC Schafer and Emerson and Field
AO3: LT - Environmental reductionism
The learning theory of attachment can be criticised for environmental reductionism. The complex human behaviour of attachments is reduced into simple basic units of attachments through stimulus, response and associations. This neglects a holistic approach which would take into account how a persons social and cultural context would influence attachment. For example people from collectivist cultures work together with families to raise a child therefore the child is more likely to form multiple attachments from the outset rather than to the person who is feeding them. This limits the learning theory as an explanation of attachment as it lacks validity as it doesn’t allow us to understand behaviour in context.
AO3: LT - RTC Harlow + counter argument
RTC learning theory in attachment comes from Harlow. He found that monkeys spent more time with the surrogate mother who provided comfort rather than food. The same must apply for humans and learning theorists believe that humans and non-humans are equivalent. This contradicts the learning theory that we learn to associate to the person who feeds us by associations, limiting the learning theory of attachment.
However Harlow’s research was conducted on animals, rhesus monkeys. Therefore it may be difficult to generalise the findings to humans as humans have more complex and sophisticated feelings towards their offspring than animals. Limiting the extending Harlow’s research can be used to criticise the learning theory of attachment.
AO3: LT - Schaffer and Emerson and Field
RTC the learning theory of attachment comes from Schaffer and Emerson. They found that infant tends to form attachment to the mother regardless of whether she was the one feeding them and attachment is more due to responding to an infants signals and interacting with them. Furthermore, research by Field into the role of the father suggests the best quality of attachment forms with caregivers who are sensitive and responsive to the infants needs. Therefore evidence shows that feeding the infant is not the most important factor in forming attachment as the learning theory suggests.
AO1: Bowlby’s Monotropic theory
Bowlby suggests that attachment is adaptive is it is an innate system and inherited to increase survival. He believes that infants and parents are born to programme to attach.
He states that infants are born with social releasers such as crying, smiling and looking cute. This triggers a repose in caregiver to ensure an interaction will take place to form attachment.
He proposed a critical period for an attachment to take place. This is a biological period and if the attachment doesn’t from during the set development period of the first 2.5 years in life then it may not take place at all.
Bowlby’s theory is described as monotropic as he emphasises the attachment with one caregiver. This attachment is the most important is the child development which is with the mother, who doesn’t have to be the biological mother.
The internal working model is a mental representation that the child forms of their relationship with their caregiver. It acts as a template for what relationships are like. A child uses their attachment relationship with caregiver to build an expectation of future relationships which will mirror childhood attachments. He believes that internal working model is passed from one generation to the next and people base their parenting on their experiences of being parented.
What are the evaluations for Bowlby’s Monotropic theory (4)
- PEEL + discussion
- PEEL + discussion
- PEEL + discussion
- PEEL
1) RTS Lorenz + animal bias
2) RTS Love quiz + questionnaire
3) RTC Schafer and Emerson + specific attachment
4) Alternative explanation
AO3: BMT - RTS Lorenz + discussion
Research to support Bowlby’s theory of monotropy of the critical period comes from Lorenz. He investigated the effect of imprinting on goslings and found that there was a critical period of 12-17 hours that they had to attach otherwise they wouldn’t at all. This supports Bowlby’s Monotropic theory that infants have a critical period of development of the first 2.5 years or their life otherwise they will find it difficult to attach later on, strengthening Bowlby’s Monotropic theory of attachment.
However, Lorenz’s research was conducted on geese therefore it may be difficult to generalise the findings to humans who have more complex and sophisticated feelings towards their offspring. Limiting the extent to which Lorenz’s research can support Bowlby’s Monotropic theory.
AO3: BMT - RTS Love quiz + discussion
Research to support Bowlby’s Monotropic theory of internal working model comes from Hazan and Shaver who created a love quiz. They found that securely attached children were more likely to have happy and long lasting relationships in later life compared to insecurely attached children who had difficulty forming relationships and divorce in future relationships. Therefore this supports the internal working model in Bowlby’s Monotropic theory as it shows children’s early attachments acts as a template for future relationships.
However, the research can be criticised as the Love Quiz is a questionnaire and participants could have lied about their relationships to present themselves in the best possible light, reducing the internal validity of the research to support Bowlby’s Monotropic theory.
AO3: BMT- RTC Schafer and Emerson + discussion
Research to contradict Bowlby’s Monotropic theory of monotropy comes from Schafer and Emerson who found that children have multiple attachments. These multiple attachments may help children to develop socially, emotionally and cognitively. therefore this contradicts montropy of the idea that infants only have one important attachment, limiting Bowlby’s Monotropic theory.
However Schafer and Emersons research found that 65% of specific attachments was formed with the mother which mirrors Bowly’s theory of monotropy is that the most important attachment between an infant is with the mother.
