Learning Theory Of Attachment

Question 1

What does learning theory state about behaviour

Answer 1

• all is learnt, rather than being innate or inherited from parents

Question 2

How do people learn behaviour

Answer 2

Through conditioning
+ O.C & C.C

Question 3

Classical Conditioning AO1:

Answer 3

An infant is born with certain reflex responses, the stimulus of food is an unconditioned stimulus and it produces the reflex of pleasure, which is an unconditioned response.
The person providing food is a neutral stimulus but over time they become associated with the pleasure gained from food.

The person becomes a conditioned stimulus that produces pleasure as a conditioned response.
According to classical conditioning this is how the attachment bond develops and is the reason children feel pleasure in their caregiver’s presence.

Question 4

Operant conditioning AO1

Answer 4

Operant conditioning strengthens attachment. The baby receives positive reinforcement (when behaviour produces a pleasant consequence) for crying when they are hungry as the caregiver feeds them. The caregiver receives negative reinforcement (when behaviour removes something unpleasant) for feeding their baby when they cry as feeding the baby makes the crying stop.

Question 5

(+) Learning theory plausibility + scientific

Answer 5

Plausible & scientific as it is founded in established theory
Likely that association between the provision of needs & the person providing those needs can lead to strong attachments

Question 6

(-) Harlow (1959) study suggesting comfort is more important than food

Answer 6

• separated Rhesus monkeys from their mothers & placed them in cages
• milk provided by a wire mesh mother or one made of a comfortable soft cloth
• monkeys clung to cloth mother, especially when scared by stimulus, even if it didn’t provide milk

Question 7

What did Schaffer & Emerson find wasn’t necessary for attachment to form

Answer 7

• food
  They found that babies = attached to people who play with them
  39% of cases babies more attachment to someone else even though the mother fed them

Question 8

(-) learning theory limited explanation ?

Answer 8

• explains how attachments form but now WHY
• according to bowlby e.g. Infants form attachment to ensure they’re protected

Question 9

(-) how is the learning theory environmentally reductionist?

Answer 9

• explains complex behaviour in overly simplistic terms
• infant & caregiver relationship is very varied, & complicated+ there are different types, so it!s unlikely that attachment is just because the caregiver provides the infant with food

Question 10

Why is learning theory environmentally deterministic

Answer 10

States that early learning determines later attachment behaviours