Explanations of attachment: Learning theory Flashcards
What does the learning theory propose?
That all behaviour is learned rather than inborn
How do behaviourist suggest behaviour is learned?
either: classical or operant conditioning
Who first investigated classical conditioning?
Pavlov
In the case of attachment what is the Unconditioned stimulus?
Food
In the case of attachment what is the conditioned response?
Pleasure
In the case of attachment what is the neutral stimulus?
Infant’s mother, the chair in which they are fed
What would then become the conditioned stimulus?
- Infant’s mother
- The chair in which they are fed
What would then become the conditioned response?
Pleasure
Who first investigated operant conditioning?
B.F Skinner
Who offered an explanation of attachment based on operant conditioning and drive reduction theory?
Dollard and Miller (1950s)
What is a drive?
Something that motivates behaviour
- An infant is driven to reduce their hunger
What happens to drive when the baby is fed?
Produces the feeling of pleasure
What is more likely to happen if the baby is rewarded for its behaviour?
The behaviour is more likely to be repeated
What becomed the primary reinforcer?
Food
Why does the food become the primary reinforcer?
It supplies the reward
Who is likely to become the secondary reinforcer?
The person who supplies the food
- The source of the reward
Who further developed the learning theory?
Social learning theory
Albert Bandura
What did Hay and Vespo (1988) suggest?
Modelling could be used to explain attachment
What did Hay and Vespo (1988) propose children observe?
Their parents’ affectionate behaviour and imitate this
How might the learning theory be criticised?
- Largely based on studies with non-human animals
