Learning theory of attachment Flashcards
How does the learning theory suggest behaviour is learned and thus how is attachment learned
Behaviour is learned through experience and thus attachment is formed due to classical and operant conditioning
How are infants born
As blank slates
How are infants classically condtioned
Food (UCS) –> Pleasure (UCR)
Mother (NS)
Food (UCS) + Mother (NS) –> Pleasure
Mother (CS) –> Pleasure (CR)
During first few weeks things (like mother) associated with food as they are consistently present when being fed
What is the new Conditioned Stimulus called in the learning theory of attachment
Mother love
Who suggested how infants are operant conditioned
Dollard and Miller
How are infants operant conditioned
Drive reduction says that organisms always fight to reduce their drives. When an infant is fed discomfort decreases, and behaviour which led to it is more likely to occur again in future
Who suggested how social learning theory applies to attachment
Hay and Vespo
How does the social learning theory relate to attachment
Parents model affectionate behaviour and infants imitate these
What is an added way that children may be conditioned
Parents may instruct children on how to behave and reward them with hugs and kisses
Why is the basis of the behavioural approach an issue for the learning theory of attachment
The behavioural approach is largely based off of animal studies, such as Skinners. Not legitiamte to generalise this to humans, especially complex behaviour like attachment which seems to contain innate predispositions
Why is the drive reduction an issue for the learning theory of attachment
It is out of date. Popular in 40’s, but inadequate now as it doesn’t explain all of the things humans decide to do. Things like bunjee jumping increase discomfort
What is a weakness of the theory surrounding secondary reinforcers
The theory fails to account for these
How is the suggestion that food is the key element an issue for this theory
Strong evidence against, Harlow’s study and Schaffer and Emmerson both suggest sensitivity. Oversimplified
