Explanations Of Attachment - Learning theory

Question 1

What are the two explanations of attachment?

Answer 1

Learning theory and Bowlbys monotropic theory

Question 2

Summarise what learning theory is

Answer 2

This theory is behavioural, it says infants learn to attach to whoever feeds them through c.c and o.c

Question 3

Describe learning theory in attachment using classical conditioning

Answer 3

• milk is unconditioned stimulus which provides infant an unconditioned response of pleasure
• this response is automatic + does not have to be learnt
• the feeder is the neutral stimulus
• feeder becomes conditioned stimulus through repetition of feeding as the infant learns to associate the feeder with food and pleasure
• this means just the sight of the feeder will indicate to the child that they will get fed, producing the conditioned response of pleasure
• according to learning theory, the child then seeks to be near the feeder and becomes attached

Question 4

Describe learning theory linked to att using operant conditioning

Answer 4

• o.c is learning bhv thru rewards, reinforcements and punishments
• o.c can be used to exp why infants cry for comfort, which is an imp bhv in building an att
• pos reinforcement is when we are rewarded for a bhv so we repeat this bhv to gain the same reward so when an infant is hungry and cries, cg will feed infant, pos reinforcement for infant as crying bhv is reinforced when it receives reward of food
• neg reinforcement is when we do a bhv to avoid a negative consequence so we repeat this bhv to avoid the negative consequence, so at the same time when c.g feeds infant, crying stops, this is neg reinforcement for cg as feeding bhv is reinforced when neg stimulus of crying has been removed
• this mutual reinforcement strengthens an att
• punishment is when we stop a bhv as we are punished for this bhv

Question 5

What are the three AO3 PEELS to evaluate learning theory as an exp of att?

Answer 5

• env reductionism
• RTC Harlow
• RTC Schaffer and Emerson/Field