Learning theory of attachment Flashcards
Outline the learning theory of attachment
Focuses on the baby wanting its needs to be fulfilled. Links pleasure with attachment and suggests attachment is learned through the environment
Explain classical conditioning and attachment
This is learning through association.
Suggests the mother starts as a neutral stimulus, before the mother gives the baby food, which makes the child feel pleasure. The baby associates the mother with food and therefore with pleasure.
Explain Operant conditioning and attachment
Learning through reinforcement.
The baby feels discomfort when hungry, and if they cry, the mother will feed them, so discomfort is removed (NR). The baby then seeks attachment to the mother to remove discomfort.
Caregiver also receives NR, as baby stops crying
What research supports the learning theory of attachment?
Harlow (1959) Rhesus monkeys experiment - Feeding bottle and cloth mother
What did Dollard and Miller find out about the learning theory of attachment?
The importance of food - often called cupboard love because the baby learns to attach to whoever feeds them.
Strengths of the Learning Theory of Attachment
Some elements of conditioning could still be involved - Unlikely it is central attachment but a baby’s choice of primary caregiver may be based on a caregiver being associated with warmth and comfort
Support from Ross et al (Dad’s form attachment by changing more nappies (NR) and Harlow, as the monkeys show we seek comfort in a stressful situation
Weaknesses of the Learning Theory of Attachment
Theory based on research with animals - inappropriate to generalise
Schaffer and Emerson (1964) show that attachment is innate in their study of children a few weeks old
Harlow’s idea also refutes this as monkeys chose comfort over food which goes against this theory, which suggests food is a greater reinforcer
