Learning theory explanation of attachment

Question 1

what does the learning theory suggest

Answer 1

infants have no innate tendency to form attachments and form them as a result of receiving food

Question 2

Classical conditioning

Answer 2

UCS (food) -> UCR (pleasure)
UCS (food) + NS (mother) -> UCR (pleasure)
CS (mother) -> CR (pleasure)

Question 3

Operant conditioning - for baby

Answer 3

• hunger -> drive state -> cry -> food -> comfort
• hungry baby rewarded with food from crying - positive reinforcement
• attach to mother as seek proximity to source of reward

Question 4

Operant conditioning - for mother

Answer 4

Baby cries when hungry. Mother feeds baby, baby stops crying. - negative reinforcement

Question 5

Environmentally reductionist

Answer 5

• simplify to stimulus-response links
• cannot understand emotional components

Question 6

Schaffer + Emerson (AO3-)

Answer 6

infants attach to CG w/ most interaction

Question 7

Animal studies

Answer 7

Lorenz’s geese imprint before being fed
Harlow’s monkeys spend most time with cloth mother