Explanations of attachment: Learning Theory

Question 1

Who proposed the theory and what else is it called?

Answer 1

Dollard and Miller - otherwise ‘cupboard love theory’

Question 2

Why is it sometimes called ‘cupboard love theory’?

Answer 2

Bc it emphasises the importance of the caregiver as the provider of food - children learn to love whoever feeds them

Question 3

How is classical conditioning important in Learning Theory?

Answer 3

In attachment food = UCS - creates a feeling of pleasure = UCR
Mother initially NS - provides food - becomes associated with the UCS - NS becomes a CS
Sight of caregiver (CS) produces pleasure (CR)

Question 4

How is operant conditioning important in Learning Theory?

Answer 4

Crying is positively reinforced to the baby bc they get attention
Responding to crying is negatively reinforced to the caregiver bc it avoids the negative consequence of a crying baby

Question 5

What does the learning theory say about hunger and attachment?

Answer 5

Hunger = a primary drive
Attachment = a secondary drive

Question 6

What are the evaluation points for the learning theory of attachment?

Answer 6

1. Animal Studies challenge the idea of food as basis for attachment - Harlow, contact comfort > food
2. LT ignores other factors - Interactions. Sync. and Reciprocity
3. There is a newer SLT explanation - modelling and imitation of behaviour