Learning theory of attachment Flashcards
What is the process of the primary caregiver becoming a conditioned stimulus
Food (UCS) produces pleasure (UCR). Primary caregiver (NS) becomes associated with food, becoming a conditioned stimulus (CS) producing ‘pleasure’ (CR).
How does operant conditioning work with infants
Crying is positively reinforced by attention
How does operant conditioning work with caregivers
Attention is negatively reinforced by cessation of crying
What is meant by the secondary drive
Satisfaction of the primary hunger drive is associated with the caregiver
What is the basic theory of learning theory
The theory, put forth by behaviourists, is that all behaviour is learned rather than innate.
How do behaviourists believe infants emotional bond and dependence on the caregiver can be explained
In terms of reinforcement either through classical conditioning or operant conditioning.
What is Dollard and Miller’s (1950) theory of Cupboard Love
based on the principles of learning theory; it argues infantsbecome attached to their caregiver because they learn that their caregiver provides food.
Explain the process of operant conditioning in babies crying
Operant conditioning explains why babies cry for comfort (an important building block for attachment).
Crying leads to a response from the caregiver (e.g. feeding).
As long as the caregiver provides the correct response, crying is reinforced because it produces a pleasurable consequence.
At the same time as the baby is reinforced for crying, the caregiver receives negative reinforcement because the crying stops.
What are drives
the desire to complete an action
What are primary drives
Instinctive; we don’t need to learn to want to eat or sleep as they are based on biological needs; we feel hungry and sleepy.
What are secondary drives
learnt; for example, according to cupboard love, we learn as infants to want attachment because we learn that the Secondary drives will ultimately lead to satisfying a primary drive, in this case, hunger
Give a limitation on learning theory based on counter evidence from animal studies
One limitation of learning theory is counter-evidence from animal studies.
Lorenz’s geese imprinted on the first moving object they saw. Harlow’s monkeys attached to a soft surrogate in preference to a wire one with milk. In both these animal studies, imprinting/attachment did not develop as a result of feeding.
This is a criticism of learning theory BECAUSE this shows that factors other than feeding are important in attachment formation
Give a limitation on learning theory based on counter evidence from human studies
Another limitation is counter-evidence from human studies.
Schaffer and Emerson (1964) showed that for many babies their main attachment was not to the person who fed them.
Also, Isabella et al. (1989) found that interactional synchrony (unrelated to feeding) predicted attachment quality.
This is a limitation BECAUSE this again suggests that other factors are more critical in attachment formation than feeding
Give a strength of learning theory based on possible elements still being involved
One strength is that some elements of conditioning could still be involved.
It seems unlikely that association with food is central to attachment. However, conditioning may still play some role in attachment.
For example, a baby’s choice of primary attachment figure may be determined by the fact that a caregiver becomes associated with warmth and comfort.
Therefore, this means that conditioning could still be important in choosing attachment figures, though not the process of attachment formation.
