learning theory explanation of attachment

Question 1

who proposed the learning theory explanation

Answer 1

Dollard and miller (1950)

Question 2

why is learning theory called cupboard love

Answer 2

emphases importance of attachment figure as a provider of food

Question 3

explain the learning theory through classical conditioning

Answer 3

-food is an unconditioned stimulus as it gives babies pleasure (unconditioned response)
-caregiver starts as neutral stimulus
-overtime caregiver associated with food
-when baby sees caregiver, expectation of food
-so the neutral stimulus (caregiver) has become conditioned stimulus
-conditioned stimulus elicits a conditioned response (pleasure)

Question 4

what can operant conditoning explain

Answer 4

why babies cry for comfort
-leads to response from caregiver e.g. feeding
-so crying is reinforced

Question 5

what behaviour does a caregiver respond with when a baby directs crying for comfort at the caregiver

Answer 5

a social suppressor

Question 6

what strengthens the attachment (operant conditioning)

Answer 6

-interplay of mutual reinforcement

Question 7

what did dollard and millar propose as an operant conditioning explananion

Answer 7

drive reduction theory

Question 8

what is the drive reduction theory

Answer 8

-hungry infant has drive to reduce accompanying discomfort
-when infant is fed, discomfort is reduced (positive reinforcement)

Question 9

what does primary reinforcement involve

Answer 9

a reward that fufils a biological need (e.g. food)

Question 10

what is meant by a secondary reinforcer

Answer 10

-they are learned and work via association with primary reinforces
-when an association between caregiver and satisfaction of primary drive forms

Question 11

what is a secondary drive and why (operant conditioning)

Answer 11

-attachment
-as caregivers provide food, primary drive of hunger becomes generalised to them