Learning theory of attachement

Question 1

What do behaviourists believe

Answer 1

We are born as blank slates and all behaviour is learnt through operant and classical conditioning. In attachment this is called ‘cupboard love’, suggesting children learn to love who feeds them.

Question 2

Classical conditioning with food

Answer 2

baby drinks milk (ucs) providing a pleasure response (UCR)
Baby associated the neutral stimulus (mother) with the food during conditioning.
This causes a conditioned response of pleasure making the mother the conditioned stimulus.

Question 3

What is drive reduction theory

Answer 3

An influential motivational theory from which the behaviourists approach. Caregivers are associated with the reduction of primary drives:
-Hunger and cold are primary drives, food and warmth are primary reinforcers.
-Primary drives lead to changes in a child’s behaviour leading to being fed (operant condition)
-Attachment develops with proximity to the source of reward.
-The child stopping crying acts as a reinforcer for the mothers behaviour.

Question 4

Strength for learning theory of attachment

Answer 4

A plausible and scientific as founded on established theory. Based on classical and operant evidence and well established theories (Pavlov and Skinner)

Question 5

Weaknesses of learning theory of attachment.

Answer 5

-Reductionist- Can be described by analysis of underlying stimulus- response relationships. This is an example of stimulus-response reductionism. emotional elements are more holistic. Too simplistic and cannot describe the full complexity of human attachment.
-Contradicted by evidence from animal studies- Harlow Resus Monkeys- went to cloth mother not wire mother which contradicts ‘cupboard love’ theory.
-Contradicted by human studies- Schaffer and Emmerson reported infants attached to the caregiver who interacted with them most not who fed them the most. Refutes learning theory. Doesn’t offer a sufficient explanation of humans complex behaviour.