Learning theory

Question 0

What are the four characteristics of an emotional tie?

Answer 0

1) Seeking proximity - especially at time of stress
2) Distress on separation
3) Pleasure when reunited
4) General orientation of behaviour towards primary caregiver

Question 1

Define attatchment

Answer 1

A strong emotional tie that develops over time between an infant and their primary caregiver

Question 2

What is the learning theory?

Answer 2

Puts forward the idea that our behaviour (including attachment bonds we form) are the result of conditioning

Question 3

What are the two types of conditioning?

Answer 3

1) Classical conditioning (learning through association)

2) Operant conditioning (learning through consequence)

Question 4

How does classical conditioning occur?

Answer 4

E.g. Unconditioned stimulus (food) = unconditioned response (salvation)

USC + conditioned stimulus (bell) = UCR

REPEAT UNTIL

CS (bell) = conditioned response (salvation)

Question 5

How can you apply classical conditioning to attachment?

Answer 5

• infant is born with reflex responses (e.g. Food is a stimulus that produces a response of pleasure)
• the person providing food (mother) becomes associated with the food and then becomes a conditioned stimulus (like the bell)
• caregiver becomes a source of pleasure regardless if food is being given

Question 6

What is operant conditioning?

Answer 6

Learning by consequence

Two types:

• reinforcement
• punishment

Question 7

What effect does reinforcement have?

Answer 7

Increases the likelihood that the behaviour will be repeated

Adding something = positive reinforcement

Taking something bad away = negative reinforcement

Question 8

What effect does punishment have?

Answer 8

Decreases the likelihood that the behaviour will be repeated

Adding something = punishment

Taking something away = aversion

Question 9

A01 - outline learning theory of attachment

Answer 9

• uses classical and operant conditioning to explain behaviour
• classical conditioning = behaviour is learned through association
• operant conditioning = behaviour is learned through consequence (involved reinforcement)

Question 10

A02 - evaluation of learning theory

Answer 10

P - point
E - evidence/explain
C - comment

Question 11

Evidence supporting learning theory

Answer 11

Dollard and Miller (1950)

• babies fed approx. 2000 times
• creates ample time for infant to learn mother can remove unpleasant feelings of hunger
• supports learning theory

Question 12

Evidence against learning theory

Answer 12

Harlow (1962)

• baby monkeys placed in cage with two mothers, one cylinder with milk treat other with cloth and have no milk
• baby monkey spent most of their time with soft mother
• doesn’t support learning theory as monkey went to soft mother instead of mother which gave milk