Explanations of attachment learning theory eval

Question 1

Social learning theory

Answer 1

Social learning theory to some extent gets around the passivity problem with earlier learning theories because it eliminates the problem of links between feeding and attachment.

Social learning theory also has the advantage that it sees the baby as interactive rather than a passive recipient of parenting behaviour, so it is more consistent with the findings of research into reciprocity and interactional synchrony.

However, social learning theory still cannot explain how similar attachment is across human cultures and different mammal species. Nor can it explain the complexity of early interactions between infant and caregivers.
Therefore, social learning theory has never become the dominant theory of attachment.

Question 2

Counter evidence from animal studies?

Answer 2

One limitation of learning theory explanations for attchamnet is lack of support from studies conducted on animals. For example, Lorenz geese imprinted on the first moving object they saw regardless of whether this object was associated with food. Also if we consider Harlows research with monkeys there is no support for the importance of food. When given a choice Harlows monkeys displayed attachment behaviour towards a sift surrogate “mother” in preference to a wire one which provided milk. This shows that factors other than association with food are important in the formation of attachments

Question 3

Counter evidence from studies on Humans?

Answer 3

A further limitation of learning theory explanations is lack of support from studies on human babies. For example Schaffer and Emerson found that babies tended to form their main attachment to their mother regardless of whether show was the one who usually fed them. In another study Isabella found that high levels of international synchrony predicted the quality of attachment. These factors are not related to feeding. This again suggest that food is not the main factor in the formation of human attachments

Question 4

Some conditioning may be involved?

Answer 4

One strength of learning theory is that elements of conditions could be invioled in some aspects of attachment. It seems unlikely that association with food plays a central role in attachment but conditions may still play a role. For example a baby ,ay associate feeling warm and comfortable with the presence of a particular adult and this may influence the babies choice of their main attachment figure. This means that learning theory may still be useful in understanding the devolpmentys of attchamnets

Question 5

Counterpoint

Answer 5

Both classical and operant conditions explanations see the baby playing a relatively passive role in attachment development simply responding to associates with comfort or reward. In fact research shows that babies take a very active role in the interactions that produce attachment. This means that conditions may not be an asequate explanation of any aspect of attachment.