Learning theory Flashcards
What is the learning theory?
The idea that children learn to be attached to their caregivers.
How do children learn attachment through classical conditioning?
Through association the mother with food.
How do children learn attachment through operant conditioning?
Through reinforcement. (Dollard and Miller)
When the baby is hungry it is uncomfortable, their food acts as negative reinforcement (primary reinforcer) as it takes away the uncomfortable feeling of hunger.
The caregiver is a secondary reinforcer and they are associated with the food.
What is the strength to the learning theory.
Babies get fed close to 2000 times in their first year, mainly by the primary caregiver. This is a prime time for reinforcement.
What are some limitations to the learning theory?
Contact comfort is more important than food. One of the main issues with the learning theory is that it suggests that food is the key to attachment. Harlow’s study and Shaffer and Emerson’s study don’t support this.
There are alternative explanations - Bowlby
Learning theory ignores innate factors that suggest that attachment isn’t learnt but is ‘built in’
