Learning Theory Flashcards
Define learning theory
Infants learn to attach to whoever feeds them
What are the 2 theories of learning theory ?
Classical conditioning
Operant conditioning
Define classical conditioning
Learning to attach through stimulus , response , associations
Define operant conditioning
Learning to attach through rewards , reinforcements and punishments
What is provided as an unconditioned stimulus ?
Milk
What does the unconditioned stimulus provide ?
An unconditioned response in infants such as pleasure
What kind of response is unconditioned ?
Automatic
What is the nuetral stimulus ?
The feeder
What happens through the repetition of feeding ?
Infants learn to associate feeder with food and pleasure
What does the feeder become ?
Conditioned stimulus , producing the conditioned response of pleasure
What is according to learning theorist ?
This is the basis of attachment love as the child then speak to be near the feeder
What is operant condition used to explain ?
Why infants cry for comfort
What is a positive reinforcement ?
When the infant receives reward of food and the crying behaviour is reinforced
What is a negative reinforcement?
When the caregiver feeds the infant the crying stops , as negative stimulus of crying and feeding Behavior has been reinforced
What does this mutual reinforcement do ?
Strengths an attachment
Learning theory Ao3 weakenss
Environmental reductionism
Criticised for environmental reductionism
Theory reduces complex human behaviour of attachment down to simplistic basic units of association
Neglects holistic approach , like persons culture and social context
Eg collectivist cultures families of ten work together to look after children
Children’s may form multiple attachments
Learning theory may lack validity as it doesn’t not allow us to understand behaviour in context
Ao3 limitation of learning theory by Harlow
Moneys spent more time with surrogate mother who provided comfort rather than food
Same must be true for humans
Theorists believed non humans and human are equilivent
Thus contradicts learning theory assumption that we learn to attach to person who feeds us via associations , thus limiting learning theory attachment
Ao3 contradict LT by Schaffer and Emerson
Found infant tend to form attatcments to their mother
Regardless if she usually fed them
Attachment was more due to responding to infants signals and interaction
Fields: into time of father , shown best quality attachment are with caregivers that are sensitive and respond beyond just feeding the infant
Therefore evidencing feeding dones not appear to be the most important factor as LT suggests
