Learning Theory

Question 1

Dollard and Miller (1950)

Answer 1

• attachment is a learned behaviour that is acquired through both classical and operant conditioning
• cupboard love theory - this suggests the reason children become attached to their caregiver is because they provide them with food

Question 2

Classical conditioning

Answer 2

Offers an explanation of how food provides attachment
Food = UCS → Pleasure = UCR
Mother = NS → No response
UCS (food) + NS (mother) → UCR (pleasure)
Mother = CS → Pleasure = CR
The mother is associated with pleasure when she gives the baby food

Question 3

operant conditioning - explains why babies cry

Answer 3

• Pleasurable consequences for crying behaviour such as receiving food act as positive reinforcement
• Stopping the crying (removing the negative stimulus) by providing food works as negative reinforcement for the parents, making it more likely the parents will provide food the next time the baby cries