Explanations Of Attachment :Learning Theory Flashcards
What is learning theory?
A set of theories from the behaviourist approach to Psychology, that emphasise the role of learning in the acquisition of behaviour.
What is classical conditioning?
A type of learning in which an existing involuntary reflex response is associated with a new stimulus.
What is a neutral stimulus (NS)?
A stimulus that does not initially produce a specific response or reaction when it is presented.
What is an unconditioned stimulus (UCS)?
A stimulus that is naturally occurring and automatically triggers a response without any prior learning or conditioning.
What is an unconditioned response (UCR)?
A natural, automatic reaction to a stimulus that does not require prior learning or conditioning.
What is a conditioned stimulus (CS)?
A stimulus that produces a specific, learned response or reaction when it is presented.
What is a conditioned response (CR)?
A learned reaction to a previously neutral stimulus that has become associated with an unconditioned stimulus.
What is operant conditioning?
A type of learning in which a new voluntary behaviour is associated with a consequence. Reinforcement makes the behaviour more likely to occur, while punishment makes it less likely to occur.
What is a primary drive?
An innate biological motivator.
What is a secondary drive?
Motivators learned through conditioning or association with a primary drive, such as attachment and social acceptance.
Who proposed the learning theory of attachment?
Dollard and Miller proposed the learning theory of attachment.
What is the ‘cupboard love’ theory?
The ‘cupboard love’ theory emphasizes the importance of the caregiver as a provider of food.
What do Dollard and Miller suggest about children’s love?
Children learn to love whoever feeds them.
What is classical conditioning?
Classical conditioning involves learning to associate two stimuli together.
What role does food play in attachment according to classical conditioning?
Food serves as an unconditioned stimulus (UCS) that gives pleasure to the baby.
What is an unconditioned response (UCR)?
The infant’s pleasure from being fed is an unconditioned response (UCR).
What is a neutral stimulus (NS) in the context of attachment?
A caregiver starts as a neutral stimulus (NS) that produces no response.
How does a caregiver become a conditioned stimulus (CS)?
The caregiver becomes associated with food over time, turning into a conditioned stimulus (CS).
What is the conditioned response (CR) in attachment?
The sight of the caregiver produces a conditioned response (CR) of pleasure.
What does the learning theorist equate conditioned pleasure response to?
The conditioned pleasure response is equated to love, forming an attachment.
What is operant conditioning?
Operant conditioning involves learning through consequences.
What happens if a behavior produces a pleasant consequence?
The behavior is likely to be repeated.
What is positive reinforcement?
Positive reinforcement occurs when an infant repeats a behavior because they have been rewarded.
How is crying positively reinforced?
Crying is positively reinforced when a baby receives a response from a caregiver.
What is negative reinforcement?
Negative reinforcement occurs when an adult performs a behavior to stop an unpleasant consequence.
How does a caregiver respond to a baby’s crying?
A caregiver will do whatever is needed to stop the unpleasant sound of crying.
What strengthens the attachment between infant and caregiver according to learning theory?
The interplay of mutual reinforcement strengthens the attachment.
What is the concept of drive reduction in learning theory?
Drive reduction refers to the motivation to reduce a primary drive, such as hunger.
What did Sears et al. (1975) suggest about attachment?
Attachment is a secondary drive learned by association with the satisfaction of a primary drive.
