Learning theory of attachment

Question 1

2 ways mothers and babies can form attachment(A01)

Answer 1

Classical conditioning and operant conditioning

Question 2

Describe classical conditioning(A01)

Answer 2

Pavlov’s study(dogs)
Attachment through association
Unconditioned stimulus(food) leads to unconditioned response(happy)
Neutral stimulus(mother) leads to no response
Mother + food are paired during conditioning(still produces unconditioned response)
After conditioning - Mother becomes conditioned stimulus and produces conditioned response from baby(baby is happy)

Question 3

What is positive and negative reinforcement(A01)

Answer 3

Positive reinforcement - Behaviour that is rewarded is more likely to be repeated
Negative behaviour - Behaviour that prevents something unpleasant is more likely to be repeated

Question 4

Describe operant conditioning(A01)

Answer 4

Dollard and Miller Drive reduction theory
Hunger makes babies uncomfortable
They feel the drive to reduce the discomfort so they cry
Crying leads to being fed so crying is negatively reinforced

Mothers dislike crying so they feed the baby
Feeding the baby is negative reinforced

Seeing the baby smile is rewarding
Mothers behave in a certain way to make the baby smile
Those behaviours are positive reinforcers

Question 5

What is the research that suggests feeding isn’t important/counter to refuting research(A03)

Answer 5

Schaffer and Emerson - babies develop primary attachment regardless of who feeds them
Suggests babies form attachment based on other things e.g caregivers who respond to signals
This research is culturally biased/lacks population validity as babies can form attachment through different methods based on their environment

Question 6

How do methodological issues affect research into classical conditioning/ counter to this limitation(A03)

Answer 6

Pavlov’s research(dogs)/Skinners research(rats) is too over reliant on animals
Behaviourist psychologists think animals and humans are similar(counter)

Question 7

What other factors the development of attachment(A03)

Answer 7

Good levels of interactional synchrony and reciprocity
Suggests that attachment can be formed through other methods(not just food)
Decreases credibility

Question 8

Issues and debates for learning theory of attachment(A03)

Answer 8

Learning theory takes a reductionist approach(only takes into account one factor)
Hay and Vespo promote the social learning theory which uses vicarious reinforcement and modelling behaviours
Vicarious reinforcement - Babies watch and imitate actions of other people that lead to rewards
Modelling behaviours - Mothers model behaviours e.g hugging and babies imitate which develops attachment
Decreases credibility of learning theory
Social learning theory = holistic view