Learning Theory of Attachment

Question 1

What does the learning theory of attachment propose?

Answer 1

All behaviour is learnt rather than inborn. We are born tabula rasa

Question 2

What approach is the learning theory of attachment?

Answer 2

Behaviourist - classical and operant conditioning

Question 3

What does the learning theory suggest about how attachments are formed?

Answer 3

Through the mother giving food and being associated with this

Question 4

Evidence to suggest attachment is not based on food

Answer 4

Harlow. This suggests that the learning theory is oversimplified

Question 5

Explanatory power of the learning theory

Answer 5

Infants do learn through association and reinforcement, but food many not be the main reinforcer, it may be attention and responsiveness