Learning theory and attachment Flashcards
Why is this called the ‘cupboard love approach’
Learning theorists Dollard and Miller (1950) emphasised the importance of the attachment figure as a provider of food.
What is Classical conditioning
Learning to associate two stimuli together so that we begin to respond to one in the same way as we already respond to the other
How does Classical conditioning relate to attachment
Food serves as an unconditioned stimulus. Being fed gives us pleasure (unconditioned response). The Caregiver starts as a neutral stimulus, however after repetition become associated with food, and whenever the baby sees the caregiver they have the expectation of food. Once conditioning has taken place, the caregiver has moved from the neutral stimulus to the conditioned stimulus and elicits the conditioned response, pleasure
What is Operant conditioning
Learning from the consequences of behaviour. If a behaviour produces a pleasant consequence, it is likely to be repeated (it is a reinforced behaviour). If a behaviour produces an unpleasant consequence (punishment) it is less likely to be repeated
How does Operant conditioning relate to attachment
Explains why babies cry for comfort. Crying leads to a response from the caregiver, like feeding. If the caregiver provides a positive response to this (‘correct’), crying is reinforced. The baby then directs their crying to the caregiver, who responds with comforting ‘social suppressor’ behaviour. As attachment is a two-way process, the carer receives negative reinforcement because the crying stops (removing an unpleasant outcome)
What is the secondary drive of Learning theory attachment
Hunger is considered the primary drive-innate and biological, so we are motivated to eat to reduce the drive. Learning theory draws on the concept of drive reduction, we want to reduce the drives to be happy.
Robert Sears et al. (1957) suggested that as caregivers provide food, the primary drive is generalised to them, so attachment is the secondary drive learned by association with the caregiver and the reduction (or satisfaction) of the drive
EVAL: What are the strengths of learning theory
Elements of conditioning could be involved in some aspects of attachment, although association with food does not have a central role in attachment, conditioning can. A baby may associate some aspects of contact comfort to a certain adult and influence choice for their primary attachment figure.
Social learning theory- Hay and Vespo (1988) suggest that parents teach children to love them by MODELLING attachment behaviours. Parents also REINFORCE loving behaviour by showing approval when the baby displays their own attachment behaviours (based around the two-way attachment system)
EVAL: What are the limitations of learning theory
Counter-evidence from animal studies- Lack of support from animal studies. Lorenz’s (1952), Harlow’s (1958)
Counter-evidence from human studies- Schaffer and Emerson (1964), Isabella et al. (1989)
Limited role of child- Both styles of conditioning show the baby as having a relatively passive role in attachment development, simply responding to associations with comfort or reward. Research shows that babies take a very active role (Feldman and Eidelman (2007) and Brazelton et al. (1976))
STUDIES: How does Lorenz’s (1952) and Harlow’s (1958) studies contradict learning theory
Geese imprinted on the first thing they saw regardless of association with food
Monkeys displayed closer attachment to cloth mother , even with the other mother providing food
STUDIES: How does Schaffer and Emerson’s (1964) and Isabella et al.’s (1989) studies contradict learning theory
Babies tended to form pri attachment with mother regardless of if she regularly fed them
High levels of interactional synchrony predicted the quality of attachment
STUDIES: Pavlov’s dogs (1890s)
Dogs salivated at food
Food paired+ conditioned with bell
Bell rang dogs salivated
STUDIES: Skinner box (1948)
Paired treat with a shock.
Treat=positive reinforcement
Avoiding Shock=negative reinforcement
