Learning theory of attachment

Question 1

What are the assumptions of the learning theory of attachment?

Answer 1

This theory proposes that all attachment behaviours are learnt through the environment, and are a result of nurture rather than nature

Question 2

What is classical conditioning in attachment?

Answer 2

Food automatically satisfies a baby’s basic need and causes pleasure. The mother usually provides this source of pleasure. Because this process is constantly repeated the caregiver becomes a source of pleasure in themselves and an attachment is formed i.e. they have been associated with food

BEFORE
Food (UCS) = Happy baby (UCR)
Mother (NS) = No response

DURING
Mother (NS) + Food (UCS) = Happy baby (UCR)

AFTER
Mother (CS) = Happy baby (CR)

Question 3

What is positive reinforcement (OC)?

Answer 3

Positive reward for a behaviour

Question 4

What is negative reinforcement (OC)?

Answer 4

Behaviour avoids punishment

Question 5

What is punishment (OC)?

Answer 5

Negative consequence for a behaviour

Answer 6

Food to a child is a primary reinforcer, as it fulfils a biological need. The child’s caregiver becomes a secondary reinforcer because they provide the primary reinforcer (i.e., food).

This means the child will try and stay as close to the caregiver as they can. This attachment behaviour can be referred to as proximity-seeking.

Also, when the caregiver feeds the child, the crying (an undesirable action) stops. This acts as negative reinforcement for the caregiver and in the future, when the child cries, they will comfort it in the same way because this removed the negative experience in the past.

Other people feeding (father / grandparent / nursery key workers) will mean that the child will form multiple attachments, this is referred to as stimulus generalisation.