Learning Theory Flashcards
What does the learning theory propose?
-Learning theory proposes that attachments are learnt
-It suggests that babies learn to be attached to their caregiver through either classical conditioning and operant conditioning
Why is the learning theory, sometimes called the cupboard love theory of attachment?
You wish training over yet, I am emphasises the importance of the caregiver as a provider of food
What does the learning theory explain?
Caregiver infant interaction
What is classical conditioning?
Learning through association
What can classical conditioning only be used to do?
Shape reflex behaviours
In the case of attachment, what becomes associated with who (classical conditioning)?
-The pleasure of food (UCS) becomes associated with the caregiver who feeds the infant (NS)
-through classical conditioning, this person becomes a source of pleasure even when there is no feeding
What has happened when the person becomes a source of pleasure, even when there was no feeding (through classical conditioning)?
The neutral stimulus (caregiver) has become a conditioned stimulus, and now the sight of the caregiver alone produces the condition of response of pleasure
what is the diagram of classical conditioning?
UCS—UCR
NS—NR
UCS + NS—UCR
CS—CR
What are two general criticisms of classical conditioning?
-Glaswegian babies
-Harlow
Who did the research for classical conditioning?
Ivan Pavlov (salivating dogs)
what does operant conditioning involve?
Learning through reinforcement
Who is operant conditioning explained by?
Dollard and Miller
What happens if a behaviour produces a pleasant consequence (operant conditioning)?
The behaviour is likely to be repeated
what is a primary drive in operant conditioning?
Hunger- infant feels uncomfortable, and will be driven to seek food to satisfy their hunger
what happens to the primary drive once the infant is fed? (operant conditioning)
The drive is reduced, and this produces a sense of pleasure ( a reward)
Why is food a primary reinforcer?
because it directly reduces the discomfort and the behaviour is likely to be repeated (learned)
what is the secondary drive of operant conditioning?
attachment
Who becomes the secondary reinforcer in operant conditioning?
-The person who provides the food that reduces the drive
-from then, on infants seeks to be with the person who has become the secondary reinforcer
Why does the infant seek to be with the person who has become a secondary reinforcer?
because they are now a source of reward in their own right, and then attachment is formed
what can operant conditioning explain?
why babies cry for comfort (an important behaviour in building attachment)
what are the two types of reinforcement?
Positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement
what is crying positively reinforced by?
The caregiver as it creates a pleasant response, for example feeding
Why is reinforcement in operant a two-way process?
-at the same time as the baby being positivity reinforced for crying, the caregiver receives negative reinforcement
Why does the caregiver receive negative reinforcement? (operant conditioning)
because the baby stops crying (removing the negative stimulus)
when is the behaviour likely to be repeated? (operant conditioning)
If a behaviour removes something negative
What about operant conditioning strengthens attachment?
Mutual reinforcement
What does positive reinforcement do?
-Strengthens behaviour by providing a pleasant consequence
what does negative reinforcement do?
Strengthens behaviour by removing an unpleasant consequence
What N is the learning theory?
Nurture
