Explanations Of Attachment - Learning Theory Flashcards
What is learning theory?
behaviourist approach that emphasise the role of learning behaviour.
classical and operant conditioning.
A01 - Learning theory. (Cupboard love)
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Dollard and Miller suggested that
Virtually all behaviour is learned rather than innate
attachment can be explained by learning theory.(NURTURE)
only certain behaviours are innate such as crying or a fear response.
sometimes known as ‘cupboard love’ because it emphasises the importance of the caregiver providing food - children learn to love whoever feeds them.
- Secondsdy drive theory
- classical and operant coditioning
Briefly outline operant conditioning
Voluntary?
Briefly explain classical conditioning
Voluntary?
Operant conditioning is a form of learning in which behaviour is shaped and maintained by its consequences. Possible consequences may include positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement and punishment.
Yes Voluntary
Classical conditioning is when a neutral stimulus is consistently paired with an unconditioned stimulus. The neutral stimulus eventually produces the same response that was first produced by the unlearned stimulus alone.
Involuntary
Describe the classical conditioning method of attachment
Food- UCS
Caregiver - NS
In this case of attachment, food serves as an unconditioned stimulus (UCS) and being fed gives us the feeling of pleasure (unconditioned response - UCS). We do not have to learn this association!
The caregiver starts as a neutral stimulus and when the same person provides food over and over again, they become associated with the food.
The person providing the food becomes a conditioned stimulus because they are associated with this pleasure independent of whether food is provided or not.
Once conditioning has taken place, the caregiver (CS) produces the
conditioned response of pleasure - this is love, according to learning theorists.
The parents therefore become secondary reinforcers capable of producing positive learned emotional responses in their child.
Explain the role of operant conditioning in attachment
Operant conditioning is based on the idea that any behaviour that produces a pleasant consequence, that behaviour is likely to be repeated. The behaviour has been reinforced by its pleasant consequence. If behaviour is followed by an unpleasant consequence, then that behaviour is less likely to be repeated.
Positive - baby cries - gets food
Negative baby cries and gets food - no longer unhappy
Negative - adult gives food - crying stops
What is the secondary drive theory?
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Learning theory draws on the concept of drive reduction.
Hunger is primary drive as it is an inborn, biological motivator.
We are motivated to eat in order to reduce the hunger drive
caregivers provide food, so the hunger drive is generalised to them.
Attachment is a secondary drive
learned through association between caregiver and the satisfaction of the primary drive.
EVALUATION OF LEARNING THEORY
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L - LORENZ INATE IMPRINTING
L - HARLOW CONTACT COMOFRT
L - SCHAFFER RESPONSIVE
L - MAIN RELIANCE IS ANIMAL STUDIES
EVALUATION OF LEARNING THEORY
How is using mainly animal research a limitation learning theory?
Learning theory is largely based on studies with non human animals, like pigeons. Behaviourists believe that humans are no different than other animals in the way that they acquire behaviour - all behaviour patterns are constructed from the basic building blocks of stimulus and response. Behaviourists, therefore argue that we can generalise from animal studies to human behaviour.
The learning theory has been criticised for its reliance on animal studies to explain human behaviour - attachment behaviour in humans is too complex and so it may not be appropriate to apply the findings from animal studies to provide human attachment.
