Learning Theories of Attchment Flashcards
what is classical conditioning
to associate two stimuli together so that we begin to respond to one in the same way that we already respond the other
what is operant conditioning
learning to repeat behaviour. if behaviour produces a pleasant consequence that behaviour is likely to be repeated again.
behaviour has been reinforced
what is negative reinforcement?
response or behaviour is strengthened by stopping removing or avoiding a negative outcome
why is the learning theory different to lorenz geese
the geese attached before being fed and did not matter who fed them. in the learning theory classical conditioning involves two stimuli and must be a certain attachment (baby and mother)
lorenz- food is not primary source of attachment
lorenz believed it was innate
how does harlows monkeys disagree with the learning theory?
monkeys attached to a cloth mother and not the wire mother that fed them. in the learning theory a lot of the emphasis on reinforcement was on food.
in harlows study monkeys preferred tactile comfort to food, and has more evidence whereas learning theory is just a theory (low EV)
why does schaffer and emersons study disagree with the learning theory
S+E found babies developed primary attachment to mother even though other careers did most of the feeding. their emphasis was on interaction and sensitivity to reactions.
who put forward the learning theory
dollard and miller
what did the learning theory state?
the child becomes attached to their mother because she fed the infant
strength of the learning theory
provides very plausible and scientifically realistic explanation for attachment formation - highly likely that simple association between provision of needs and person providing those needs = attachment
weakness of learning theory
ignores attachment of people that are not primary caregiver - reductionist
