Explanations Of Attachment

Question 1

Briefly describe how learning theorists believe that attachment forms.

Answer 1

Attachment is a set of learned behaviours. They suggest that infants learn and develop attachments w caregivers as a result of experiences and interactions. An attachment can be learned through classical and operant conditioning.

Question 2

Describe how classical conditioning forms attachments.

Answer 2

Learning through association. Infants find food a pleasurable experience. Infants associate feeding and comfort w primary caregiver who feeds them. Over time the caregiver acquired comforting properties by association. Infant feels pleasure when close to care giver whether being fed or not - how attachment forms.

Question 3

Describe the stages of before, during and after conditioning.

Answer 3

Before:
US (food) = UR (pleasure)
NS (mother) = NR (no)

During:
NS (mother) + US (food) = UR (pleasure)

After:
CS (mother) = CR (pleasure).

Question 4

Describe how operant conditioning forms attachments.

Answer 4

Learning through consequences. Behaviours followed by some kind of reward are reinforced, so these behaviours are strengthened and likely to be repeated.

Question 5

Describe operant conditioning in forming attachments in relation to the infant.

Answer 5

Positive reinforcement: infants cry, smile and coo bc it brings about a positive response from caregivers which reinforces their behaviour. Eg infant will cry when it’s hungry as this is unpleasant, then be fed so hunger is reduced, which is a reward making the infant more likely to cry when hungry.

Question 6

Describe operant conditioning in forming attachments in relation to the caregiver.

Answer 6

Positive reinforcement: infant is fed and no longer hungry so it smiles and coos, positively reinforcing caregiver (pleasant interaction)

Negative reinforcement: infant is cry bc it is hungry - attending needs and feeding it stops them crying - unpleasant infant crying reduced so neg reinforcement.

Question 7

Give a strength of learning theory for explaining attachments.

Answer 7

Can be tested using scientific methods. Eg attachment studied in controlled situations - Harlow.

Question 8

Give 3 criticisms of learning theory for explaining attachments.

Answer 8

Harlow - didn’t spend time w mother who dispensed food but he cloth mother. Shows food isn’t main factor in attachments.

Attachment develops over time - Schaffer and Emerson round babies are happy to be looked after by anyone until about 7 months old, when they show who they want to be their main carer. Learning theory suggests the attachment would increase gradually over time.

Alternative explanation - Bowlby

Question 9

What are the 5 components of Bowlbys monotropic theory?

Answer 9

ASCMI
Adaptice
Social releases
Critical period
Monotropy
Internal working model

Question 10

Describe the adaptive component of Bowlbys monotropic theory.

Answer 10

He believed an attachment forms between a baby and carer because it is adaptive - increases chance of survival. An infant not attached is less well protected. Drive to attach is innate.

Question 11

Describe the social releases component of Bowlbys monotropic theory.

Answer 11

Infants display natural behaviours that bring about an instinctive care giving response in adults called social releasers eg smiling, crying, cooing). This explains how attachments form.

Question 12

Describe the critical period component of Bowlbys monotropic theory.

Answer 12

Suggested there is a critical period for forming attachments between birth and 2.5 years, and if an attachment isn’t developed in this period then it will never form. Child will suffer irreversible developmental consequences such as reduced intelligence.

Question 13

Describe the monotropy component of Bowlbys monotropic theory.

Answer 13

A special attachment forms between the person who responds most sensitively to the babies needs. Eg being more responsive, cooperative or accessible. The tendency to form one special attachment is monotropy. Person who provides best quality care is primary attachment figure and has a special role in development, acting as a secure base.

Question 14

Describe the internal working model component of Bowlbys monotropic theory.

Answer 14

The first primary attachment creates a type of schema for relationships known as the internal working model. This helps infant understand the behaviour of the caregiver and in the long term, acts as a template for all later relationships because it generates expectations. Eg warm and close relationships - expect and develop similar ones. Continuity hypothesis - Emotionally secure infants go on to be emotionally secure trusting and socially confident adults.

Question 15

Give 3 strengths of Bowlbys monotropic theory.

Answer 15

Supporting evidence for adaptive - infants form attachments when it is vital for survival - begin to crawl around 6 months which is dangerous and when we see attachments forming

Supporting evidence for monotropy - Schaffer and Emerson found they form a specific attachment to primary figure even tho they also form other attachments

Supporting evidence for internal working model and continuity - one study found those who had secure relationships as babies had happier and more trusting romantic relationships as adults

Question 16

Give a criticism of Bowlbys monotropic theory.

Answer 16

Challenging evidence for critical period - studies of children in institutions who failed to form attachment in critical period could form attachments and develop normally. Psychologists prefer to refer to it as a sensitive period where children are most receptive to formation of attachments. Bowlby later proposed the sensitive period of up to 5years.