Explanations of attachment: Learning theory

Question 1

what is a strength of the theory

Answer 1

it explains some aspects of attachment

Question 2

how does this theory explain some aspects of attachment

Answer 2

• infant learn through association and reinforcement but food is not the reinforcer, attention, responsiveness and comfort are important rewards which help the formation of an attachment
• infants may also imitate behaviours like responsiveness which helps them learn how to have a healthy relationship in the future
• shows the theory may not be solely responsible for attachment formation but it plays role

Question 3

what are some limitations of the theory

Answer 3

• counter-evidence from animal studies
• over reliance on animals

Question 4

what evidence contradicts the learning theory and how

Answer 4

• Harlow found that baby monkeys were more attached to the mother which provided contact comfort and not food
• this shows that food does not play a role in the formation of attachments
• findings are not just applicable to animals as they are supported by Schaffer & Emerson which found that infants are not attached to the person that feeds them

Question 5

explain the learning theory over reliance on animals and why it is a limitation

Answer 5

• theory is based on studies with non-humans animals like Skinner with rats and Pavlov with dogs
• humans are more complex than animals and not all human behaviour can be explained by conditioning especially a phenomenon as complex as attachment
• explanation lacks validity as it oversimplifies human behaviour