Explanations of attachment: Learning theory

Question 1

What is the learning theory explanation of attachment?

Answer 1

Attachments are learnt, not innate

Question 2

How can classical conditioning explain attachment?

Answer 2

There is an innate stimulus response link

Question 3

In the classical conditioning explanation of attachment, what is the unconditioned stimulus?

Answer 3

Food

Question 4

In the classical conditioning explanation of attachment, what is the unconditioned response?

Answer 4

Pleasure

Question 5

In the classical conditioning explanation of attachment, what is the neutral stimulus?

Answer 5

The mother

Question 6

In the classical conditioning explanation of attachment, what is the conditioned stimulus?

Answer 6

The mother

Question 7

In the classical conditioning explanation of attachment, what is the conditioned response?

Answer 7

Pleasure

Question 8

What is the operant conditioning explanation of attachment?

Answer 8

Drive reduction theory

Question 9

What do infants have a drive to reduce?

Answer 9

The discomfort they feel when hungry

Question 10

What principle explains drive reduction theory?

Answer 10

Negative reinforcement

Question 11

In the drive reduction theory of attachment, what is the primary reinforcer?

Answer 11

Food

Question 12

In the drive reduction theory of attachment, what is the secondary reinforcer?

Answer 12

The mother

Question 13

What are the 4 AO3 points of the learning theory explanation of attachment?

Answer 13

1) Learning theory based on animal studies
2) Attachment is not based on food
3) Some explanatory power
4) Alternative explanation

Question 14

Why do the findings of animal studies in general lack generalisability to humans?

Answer 14

Humans have much more complex brains (e.g. prefrontal cortex)

Question 15

Why do the findings of animal studies into attachment lack generalisability to humans?

Answer 15

Attachment is an extremely complex behaviour

Question 16

What is the main limitation of the learning theory explanation of attachment?

Answer 16

It assumes food is the key element in attachment formation

Question 17

What did Harlow find about attachment that contradicts the learning theory explanation?

Answer 17

He found that the monkeys spent most of their time with the cloth mother - she provided contact comfort

Question 18

What did Schaffer + Emerson find about attachment that contradicts the learning theory explanation?

Answer 18

They found that attachment formation was based on sensitive responsiveness

Question 19

What reinforcers may be more important in attachment than food?

Answer 19

Attention and responsiveness from a caregiver

Question 20

What is the alternative explanation to the learning theory explanation of attachment?

Answer 20

Bowlby’s monotropic theory

Question 21

Why is Bowlby’s monotropic theory better than the learning theory explanation of attachment?

Answer 21

It can explain how and why attachments form