Learning Theory

Question 1

What is the cupboard love approach

Answer 1

Infants attach to the person who provides them with food

Question 2

What is the main assumption of learning theory

Answer 2

We learn from the environment and our experiences and we are all born as blank slates

Question 3

Through which two processes do we learn to develop attachments according to learning theory

Answer 3

Classical and operant conditioning

Question 4

Which 2 researchers proposed the cupboard love approach

Answer 4

Dollard and Miller

Question 5

How do infants develop attachment through classical conditioning

Answer 5

Infants learn to associate the unconditioned stimulus of food with the caregiver

Question 6

Name the UCS and NS when babies learn to attach through classical conditioning

Answer 6

UCS= food
NS= mother

Question 7

What is drive reduction theory

Answer 7

When an animal is uncomfortable and this creates a drive to reduce that discomfort

Question 8

How do infants learn to form attachments through operant conditioning

Answer 8

• when child is hungry they experience discomfort and have a drive to reduce this
• they will cry which causes mother to feed them and drive is reduced= feelings of pleasure
• acts as negative reinforcement- infant has escaped something unpleasant
• behaviour that led to being fed= more likely to be repeated as brings caregiver closer and leads to development of attachment

Question 9

What is the primary and secondary reinforcer in operant conditioning

Answer 9

Food= primary reinforcer (supplies award)
Caregiver= second reinforcer as they bring the food (they are associated with the food)