Explanations of attachment: Learning theory Flashcards
Classical conditioning
Explanations of attachment: Leaning theory
Involves learning to associate 2 stimuli so we respond to both in the same way
In attachment food serves as UCS
Being fed gives us pleasure (UCR)
Caregiver starts as NS but when they provide food over time they become associated w/ food
When baby sees this person there is expectation of food, NS has become CS
Once conditioning has taken place the sight of caregiver produced CR of pleasure
To learning theorist this conditioned pleasure response is love
Operant conditioning
Explanations of attachment: Leaning theory
Involves learning from consequences of behaviour
If behaviour produces pleasant consequence, behaviour is likely to be repeated (it is reinforced)
If behaviour is punished it is less likely to be repeated
OC also explains why babies cry for comfort
Crying leads to response from cargiver
As long as caregiver provides the correct response, crying is reinforced
Baby then directs crying for comfort towards caregiver who response w/ comforting ‘social suppressor’ behaviour
This reinforcement is 2-way process
Caregiver recieves negative reinforcement because crying stops
This interplay of mutual reinforcement strengthens attachment
Attachment as secondary drive
Explanations of attachment: Leaning theory
Learning theory draws on concept of drive reduction
Hunger can be thought of as a primary drive - it’s an innate, biological motivator
We are motivated to eat in order to reduce the hunger drive
Sears et al (1957) suggested that, as caregivers provide food, the primary drive of hunger becomes generalised to them
Thus, attachment is secondary drive learned by association between caregiver and satisfaction of primary drive
Evaluation: Counter-evidence from animal studies
Explanations of attachment: Leaning theory
Limit: lack of support from animal studies
Lorenz’s geese imprinted on the 1st moving object they saw regardless of whether this object was associated w/ food
Harlow’s monkeys showed no support for the importance of food
When given a choice, Harlow’s monkeys displayed attachemnt behaviour towards cloth mother over wire mother regardless of who provided milk
Therefore, factors other than association w/ food are important in formation of attachment
Evaluation: Counter-evidence from studies on humans
Explanations of attachment: Leaning theory
Limit: lack of support from studies of human babies
Schaffer & Emerson (1964) found that babies tend to form main attachment to mother regardless of whether she was the on who usually fed them
Isabella et al (1989) found highly levels of interactional synchrony predicted quality of attachment
These factors are not related to feeding
Therefore, food is not main factor in formation of human attachments
Evaluation: Some conditioning may be involved
Explanations of attachment: Leaning theory
Strength: elements of conditioning may be involved in some aspects of attachment
Seems unlikely that association w/ food plays central role in attachment but conditioning may still play role
A baby may associate feeling warm & comfortable w/ presence of particular adult
This may influence baby’s choice of their main attachment figure
Therefore, learning theory may be useful in understanding development of attachments
Evaluation: Some conditioning may be involved (counterpoint)
Explanations of attachment: Leaning theory
However CC & OC explanations see baby playing passive role in attachment development, simply responding to associations w/ comfort or reward
Research shows babies take very active role in interactions that produce attachment
Therefore, conditioning may not be adequate explanation of any aspect of attachment
