explanations of attachment: learning theory

Question 1

what is classical conditioning?

Answer 1

• learning through association
• by associating how to respond to one stimuli the same way we would with the other
• dollar and miller

Question 2

explain the steps of classical conditioning?

Answer 2

1. food (ucs)= content baby (ucr)
2. mother (ns)= no response (ucr)
3. food(ucs)+mother(ns)= content baby (ur)
4. mother (cs)= content baby (cr)

Question 3

what is operant conditioning?

Answer 3

• learning through consequences
• repeat or not repeating behaviour depending on the consequences
• good consequence= more likely to be repeated

Question 4

how does operant conditioning explain crying for comfort?

Answer 4

• if baby cries and caregiver responds with comfort, the crying is reinforced
• this is positive reinforcement for the baby as she receives comfort through food, and negative for the mother as she picks up the baby to avoid something unpleasant
• this strengthens this attachment

Question 5

explain attachment as a secondary drive?

Answer 5

• drive reduction
• hunger is the primary drive: it is an innate motivator and baby will cry to reduce hunger drive
• primary reinforcer: they get comfort by being rewarded with food
• secondary reinforcer: mother, as she is the source of food, infant is motivated to be with mother
• attachment is a secondary drive learned through association with caregiver and satisfaction of primary drive

Question 6

evaluate counter evidence from animal research?

Answer 6

WEAKNESS

• shows young animals don’t always attach to those who feed them
• Lorenz’s geese imprinted before they were fed
• clear that attachment doesn’t develop as a result of feeding

Question 7

evaluate counter evidence from human research?

Answer 7

WEAKNESS

• research with infants also supports that feeding isn’t the most important factor
• SandE found that babies developed primary attachment to biological mothers even if carers did the feeding
• no primary drive needed

Question 8

evaluate how the learning theory ignored other factors associated with forming attachments?

Answer 8

WEAKNESS

• infant-caregiver research has shown quality of attachment is associated with reciprocity and interactional synchrony
• if attachments formed purely due to feeding therefore would be no purpose for these complex actions