Explanations of attachment: Learning Theory Flashcards
What do behaviorists believe about attachment (learning theory)?
Humans born as ‘blank slates’ (John Locke). All behaviour learned through classical and operant conditioning. Attachment not innate.
Explain how classical conditioning leads to attachment.
Food (UCS) - pleasure (UCR)
Mother (NS) - no response
Food (UCS) + Mother (NS) - pleasure (UCR)
Mother (CS) - pleasure (CR)
“Mother love” manifests itself into attachment.
Explain how operant conditioning leads to attachment.
In infant: hunger = drive to reduce discomfort. Fed: drive reduced = pleasure. Negative reinforcement. Likely to repeat behaviour that led to being fed - seek mother (attachment). Food = primary reinforcer. Mother = secondary reinforcer.
In mother: crying = drive to reduce unpleasant sound. Feed infant - drive reduced = pleasure. Negative reinforcement.
Explain how social learning theory leads to attachment.
Imitate affection modelled by parents. Also get rewarded for affection.
(AO3) What is a key issue with using behaviorism to explain attachment?
Based off animal studies. Pavlov’s dogs. Skinner’s box (rats/pigeons). Behaviourists: all start as blank slates. Simple processes can’t explain complex behaviour - attachment. Difficult to apply to humans + oversimplified + ratio.
(AO3) Describe contradictory research evidence regarding food.
Harlow - attachment not influenced by food. Comfort > food. But animal study. But supported by Schaffer & Emerson. Oversimplified.
(AO3) Describe research that suggests attachment is not caused by learning processes.
Lorenz - imprinting. Imprinted goslings followed first animal they saw. Allows for immediate attachment + protection. Suggests attachment is innate.
(AO3) What is Bowlby’s better theory of explaining attachment?
Monotropic attachment theory. Mostly innate. Also explains why attachments form and the positive consequences of it. Learning theory rejected.
