learning theory Flashcards
What is social learning theory as proposed by Bandura?
Children observe their parents’ affectionate behaviour and imitate it
This theory suggests that attachment behaviours are learned through modeling.
What role do parents play in teaching attachment behaviours?
Parents teach children to love them by showing them attachment behaviours like hugging and kissing
Parents reinforce these behaviours by praising babies when they display them.
What is operant conditioning according to Skinner?
A theory explaining attachment based on the association of drive reduction with behaviour
Infants are motivated to reduce discomfort, such as hunger, which leads to attachment with those who provide food.
What is a ‘drive’ in the context of attachment?
A motivation for behaviour, such as hunger prompting an infant to seek food
The reduction of discomfort leads to the formation of attachments.
Define classical conditioning.
Associating two stimuli together so that one elicits a response similar to the other
In attachment, food is the unconditioned stimulus, and the caregiver becomes a conditioned stimulus.
What is the primary reinforcer in the context of attachment?
Food
Food reduces hunger, which is a primary drive.
What is the relationship between hunger and attachment according to Sears et al. (1957)?
Attachment is a secondary drive learned by associating the caregiver with satisfying hunger
Hunger is innate and drives the behaviour of seeking food.
List one strength of learning theory in understanding attachment.
Conditioning might play a role in attachment
A baby may feel warm and comfortable with a particular adult, influencing attachment.
What is a limitation of the learning theory regarding attachment?
Lack of support from animal studies
Research by Lorenz and Harlow showed that attachment is influenced by factors other than food.
What did Schaffer and Emerson find regarding attachment?
Babies attached to mothers regardless of food
This suggests that food is not the sole factor in forming attachments.
What was revealed in Harlow’s research on monkeys?
Monkeys preferred a soft ‘mother’ over a wire one that provided food
This indicates comfort and emotional connection are significant in attachment.
True or False: Conditioning explains every aspect of attachment.
False
Conditioning does not account for all factors influencing attachment.
What ethical issue arises in infant research regarding attachment?
Manipulating feeding and cuddling practices to determine their importance in attachment formation
This could negatively affect the child’s emotional development.
Fill in the blank: According to Dollard and Miller, attachment occurs because the child seeks the person who can supply the _______.
reward
Rewards in this context refer to the satisfaction of needs like hunger.
What did Isabella et al. find regarding attachment?
Interactional synchrony affected attachment
This indicates that the quality of interactions plays a crucial role in forming attachments.
