Learning Theory (explanation of attachment) Flashcards
What does the learning theory suggest?
Suggests that all behaviour is learnt rather than unborn - suggests attachment also learnt this way
What is classical conditioning?
Learning through association
What happens when forming an attachment due to classical conditioning?
UCS = UCR
NS = No response
NS + UCS = UCR
CS (was NS) = CR
What is operant conditioning?
Learning through the consequences of your actions
What is positive reinforcement?
Doing a behaviour to get reward
(Adding something pleasant to increase behaviour)
What is negative reinforcement?
Performing a behaviour to not get punished
(Removing something unpleasant to increase behaviour)
What is positive punishment?
Perform a behaviour and getting punished
(Adding something unpleasant to decrease behaviour)
What is negative punishment?
Doing something bad and getting something taken away
(Removing something pleasant to decrease behaviour)
How is attachment learnt?
Hunger causes us to reduce it
Person who supplies the food get associated with removal of hunger
ATTACHMENT IS A SECONDARY DRIVE LEARNED THROUGH ASSOCIATION
What are the strengths of the learning theory as an explanation for attachments?
Some elements of conditioning are involved in forming attachments
Social learning theory - newer learning theory which is more plausible
What elements of conditioning are involved in creating attachments?
Many attachment behaviours cause pleasure & comfort (hugs & kisses)
It explain why babies often form attachments with the parent that feeds them the most
What is the social learning theory?
Suggests modelling (imitating) can be used to explain attachment behaviours
Babies observe parents behaviour and imitate to get a reward - pseudo imitation
What are the weaknesses of the learning theory as an explanation for attachments?
Based on animals studies (skinner & Pavlov’s)
Attachment isn’t based on food (Harlow & Lorenz proved that)
Learning theory ignores other factors associated in forming attachment
What other factors does the learning theory ignore?
Ignores Interactional synchrony & reciprocity
Studies show that sensitive caregivers form higher quality attachments which the learning theory doesn’t suggest
