Explanations of Attachment

Question 1

The Learning Theory Of Attachment

Answer 1

All behavior (including attachment) is learning rather than innate. Children are born ‘Blank states’ upon which experiences are written. Learning occurs through classical or operant conditioning.

Question 2

Explain Classical Conditioning

Answer 2

Before Conditioning: Unconditioned Stimulus leads to a Unconditioned Response

During Conditioning: A Neutral Stimuli accompanies Unconditioned Stimulus lead to a Unconditioned Response

After Conditioning: There is a Conditioned Stimulus which leads to the Conditioned Response

Question 3

Example of Classical Conditioning

Answer 3

BC: Food = Happy Baby
DC: Food + Mam = Happy Baby
AC: Mam = Happy Baby

Question 4

Explain Operational Conditioning

Answer 4

Positive Reinforcement : Is when a behaviour results in the addition of something pleasant.
EG You get a praise from the teacher from doing your homework well.

Negative Reinforcement : Is when a behaviour results in the subtraction of something unpleasant.
EG you do your homework to avoid getting a detention.

Question 5

Briefly Explain Social Learning Theory

Answer 5

Children Observe their parents’ affectionate behaviour and imitate this (Children model the behaviour of their role models) Parent also instruct their children about how to behave in relationships and reward appropriate attachment behaviour such as giving kisses and hugs.

Question 6

Evaluate The Learning Theory Of Attachment:

Learning Theory has some explanatory Power

Answer 6

Association and reward do play a part in learning. However, food may not be the main reinforcer, rather the attention and responsiveness from a caregiver are important rewards not considered by Learning Theory. Infants may also imitate responsiveness and so learn how to conduct rleationships

Question 7

Evaluate The Learning Theory Of Attachment: Learning Theory Is Based On Animal Research

Answer 7

Behaviourists believe humans are no idfferent from other animals in terms of how they learn. Others argue that learning theory is an over-simplified explanation of human behaviour. Attachment involves innate predispositions and mental activity that are not considered by Learning Theory

Question 8

Evaluate The Learning Theory Of Attachment: Contact Comfort is more important than food

Answer 8

Harlow provides strong evidence that feeding has nothing to do with attachment. Infant Rhesus monkeys showed a preference for a cloth mother to a wire mother over a wire mother that provided food

Question 9

Evaluate The Learning Theory Of Attachment: Drive reduction theory is largely ignored today

Answer 9

A Weakness is that learning theories of attachment can be accused of being reductionist. This is because the learning theory is too simplistic and therefore does not account for complex human behaviour. For example it ignores the important role of genetic and evolutionary aspects which a large body of research have deemed important in the formation of attachment.

Question 10

Define Monotropy

Answer 10

The Primary Attachment of the Hierarchy of attachments that children develop with their multiple attachments

Question 11

Define Adapt and Innate

Answer 11

Born With a drive to become attached as it has long term benefits. Adapting to increase chances of survival

Question 12

Define Imprinting

Answer 12

An innate readiness to form attachment with mother-figure

Question 13

Define Sensitive Periods

Answer 13

Crucial Period of Time for attachment to form (BELIEVED TO BE 2 and half years of age)

Question 14

Define Social Releases

Answer 14

Characteristics that elicit care giving (Smiling or crying)

Question 15

Define Secure Base

Answer 15

A point where a child can explore their surrounding. This is a part of independence

Question 16

Define Internal Working Model

Answer 16

Is a group of concepts a child learns in regards to what to expect from a relationship. It is developed in early childhood and is created by the attachment the child has. This could be a relationship of trust or one of uncertainty.

Question 17

Define Continuity Hypothesis

Answer 17

This is the idea that there is a link between early attachments and later emotional behaviour. IE those who have a secure attachment as a child will continue to be socially and emotionally competent.

Question 18

Explain Bowlbys Monotropic Theory Of Attachment

Answer 18

Bowlbys Maternal Deprivation Theory led him to think about the nature f how attachments form and the function of why attachment formed.

Question 19

Why Attachments Form?

Answer 19

In the environment of evolutionary adaptiveness, parents who are attached to their offspring provide the care needed for survival. Infants with an attachment seek proximity ensuring they are well protected. Those possessing this attachment trait are more likely to survive, reproduce and pass on the trait to the next generation.

Question 20

Bowlbys Monotony Theory Keys

Answer 20

Monotropy
Adapive and Innate
Imprinting
Sensitive Period
Social Releases
Secure Base
Internal Working Model
Continuit Hypothesis

Question 21

How Attachments Form?

Answer 21

Bowlby argued that who infants attach to is determined by sensitivity. The concept of caregiver sensitivity is an important feature of Ainsworth work and research into caregiver-infant interaction. Infant who do not form an attachment during the critical period seem to have difficulty forming attachments later in life.

Social releasers are innate mechanisms that explain how attachments are formed. We are predisposed to find social releasers appealing which elicits a care-giving response

Monotropy - Infants have one special emotional bond, usually to their biological mother. Secondary attachments also form, providing the infant with an emotional safety net which is important for healthy psychological and social development

Question 22

The Consequences of attachment

Answer 22

The infant forms a mental representation of their monotropic relationship.
An internal working model which gives an insight into the caregivers behaviour. The model provides a template for all future relationships.
The continuity hypothesis predicts strongly attached infants continue to be socially and emotionally competent as adults, whereas adults with insecure childhood attachments have more difficulties.

Question 23

Evaluation Bowlbys Monotropic Theory of attachment:

Support for the continuity hypothesis

Answer 23

The Minnesota parent - child study found infants classified as securely attached were rated highest for social competence, were less isolated and more popular and empathetic in late adolescence

Question 24

Evaluation Bowlbys Monotropic Theory of attachment:

Age of attachment is species specific

Answer 24

Young monkeys cling to their mother as she moves around their habitat while human mothers carry their infant. Only when human infants start crawling (around 6 months) is attachment vital to ensure proximity to the caregiver. As attachments in humans develop during this time the concept of attachment an adaptive function is supportive.

Question 25

Evaluation Bowlbys Monotropic Theory of attachment:

Multiple Attachments Versus Monotropy

Answer 25

Rutter argued that all attachment figures are equally important, integrating to form an internal working model. In contrast Bowlbys distinguishing between primary and secondary attachments, but does suggest secondary attachment contribute. Grossmann and Grossmann found fathers play a key role as a secondary attachment in infants social development.

Question 26

Evaluation Bowlbys Monotropic Theory of attachment:

A Sensitive period rather than a critical period.

Answer 26

Rutther and Sonuga-Barke found while it is less likely attachments will form after the critical period it is not impossible. Resaerchers now prefer to use the term sensitive period to describe the period of time when the child child is most receptive to attachment formation

Question 27

Evaluation Bowlbys Monotropic Theory of attachment: Temperament rather than sensitivity determines attachment

Answer 27

Kagan proposes infatns with an’easy’ temperament are easier to interact with an so are more likely to form a secure attachment. ‘Difficult’ children aged one to three days old were later judged to be more liekly to have insecure attachments.