Learning theory

Question 1

Another definition for attachment? Who created this definition? (2)

Answer 1

Dollard & Miller state attachment is a learned behavior that is acquired through both classical and operant conditioning.

Question 2

How does attachment occur in terms of classical conditioning? (3)

Answer 2

According to classical conditioning food (Unconditioned stimulus) produces pleasure (unconditioned response). So the child simply associates food and mother together. The mother becomes the conditioned stimulus and happiness becomes the conditioned response…attachment has formed.

Question 3

How does attachment occur in terms of operant conditioning? (3)

Answer 3

The presence of the caregiver is reinforcing for the infant. The infant gains pleasure / reward as they are being fed. The behavior of the infant is reinforcing for the caregiver (the caregiver gains pleasure from smiles etc. – reward). The reinforcement process is therefore reciprocal (two way) and strengthens the emotional bond / attachment between the two.

Question 4

What is the term for attachment through conditioning? Who used it? (2)

Answer 4

Dollard & Miller (1950) used the term secondary drive hypothesis to describe the processes of learning an attachment through operant and classical conditioning.

Question 5

How does the secondary drive hypothesis work? (2)

Answer 5

Secondary drive hypothesis explains how primary drives which are essential for survival, such as eating when hungry, become associated with secondary drives such as emotional closeness.
They extended the theory to explain that attachment is a two way process that the caregiver must also learn, and this occurs through negative reinforcement when the caregiver feels pleasure because the infant is no longer distressed.

Question 6

Two pieces of evidence against the learning hypothesis?

Answer 6

• Harlow’s research suggested monkeys became attached to the soft surrogate mother rather than the one who fed it. This goes against the learning theory of attachment.
• Lorenz found goslings imprinted on the first moving object they saw which suggest attachment is innate and not learnt.

Question 7

Describe how infants form an attachment with their primary caregiver through classical conditioning (3)

Answer 7

1. Before conditioning:
   Food = UCS → Relief from hunger/pleasure = UCR
   Caregiver = NS → no conditioned response from child
2. During conditioning:
   Child associates caregiver who seeks them (NS) with food (UCS)
3. After conditioning (through repeated pairings):
   Caregiver = CS, associated with pleasure from feeding (UCR)
   Results: caregiver elicits CR (relief from hunger) from child & formation of attachment

Question 8

Describe how infants form an attachment with their primary caregiver through operant conditioning (5)

Answer 8

1. Infant = hungry → has drive to reduce discomfort ∴ cries
2. Caregiver provides food = feeling of pleasure produced = reward → positive reinforcement ∴ behaviour repeated
3. Reinforcement is reciprocal process ∵ negative reinforcement occurs: caregiver repeats caregiving behaviour to avoid infant from prolonged crying
4. Hunger = primary drive & food = primary reinforcer
5. Caregiver who provides food = secondary reinforcer & attachment = secondary drive → will occur ∵ infant seeks person who can provide the reward

Question 9

One study supporting learning hypothesis?

Answer 9

Emerson et al
Studied 60 babies over 18 months
Attachment most likely to form with those who were most sensitive and responsive to child’s needs (through attention and feeding) ∵ this would be most rewarding