Explanations of Attachment: Learning Theory Flashcards
What is a cupboard love theory?
Emphasises importance of caregiver as a provider of food.
How can classical conditioning be used to explain how attachments are formed?
UCS- food/ milk. UCR- happiness/love. NS- feeder/ caregiver. CS-feeder/ caregiver NR- happiness/ love
How can operant conditioning be used to explain how an attachment is formed?
It can explain why babies cry for comfort. Crying leads to a response from the caregiver e.g. feeding. As long as the caregiver gives the correct response, crying is reinforced. The baby then directs crying to comfort from the caregiver who responds with comforting ‘social suppressor’ behaviour. Reinforcement is a 2 way process. Caregiver receives negative reinforcement as the crying stops. This mutual reinforcement strengthens attachment.
What counter research is there to the learning theory of attachment?
Animal research and human research such as Lorenz, Harlow and Schaffer+Emerson.
How does Harlow counter the learning theory of attachment?
Showed attachments are formed through comfort and warmth, not food.
How does Lorenz counter the learning theory of attachment?
He said that some species attach through imprinting. This is less generalisable to humans than Harlow though.
How does Schaffer and Emerson’s research counter the learning theory of attachment?
They showed that not all babies attached to the person that was feeding them.
The learning theory suggests that babies are passive but what does counter research suggest?
That babies are not passive but active. This is supported by Meltzoff’s and Moore’s research that shows imitation in babies/ infants.
