Learning theory of attachment Flashcards
what does the learning theory of attachment propose?
that attachments are a learnt behaviour
what is classical conditioning?
learning through association?
How do attachments work regarding Classical conditioning?
- before conditioning
unconditioned stimulus (food) causes an unconditioned response (happy baby) - during conditioning
neutral stimulus (mother) + unconditioned stimulus (food) causes an unconditioned response (happy baby) - after conditioning
conditioned stimulus (mother)=conditioned response (happy baby)
summarise the process of classical conditioning
the infant has learnt to associate their mother with the comfort of being fed, thus, due to classical conditioning led to the formation of attachments between the mother and baby.
what is operant conditioning?
learning through consequences
what is meant by positive reinforcement?
Any behaviour that produces a reward will be repeated
what is meant by negative reinforcement?
Any behaviour that switches off something unpleasant will be repeated.
summarise the process of operant conditioning regarding a baby crying.
infants and mothers learn through consequences (rewards) so therefore repeat it. the infant cries and receives a reward of food which is a positive reinforcement as a behaviour has produced a reward.
the mother receives the award of the silence following the baby crying. This is negative reinforcement as a behaviour is switched off in exchange for a reward. Both of which will be repeated.
what are behaviourists explanations for the learning theory of attachments?
they focus only on the direct experiences an individual faces in the environment.
- we are all born as a blank slate
- all we have at birth is the ability to learn
- all behaviour is learnt from the environment
- focuses on the approach of observable behaviour.
what is a strength of the Learning theory?
the LT may provide a partial explanation for attachment.
-infants learn through association and reinforcement rewards.
what are two weaknesses of the learning theory?
Learning theories are based on research with animals (behaviourists argue they share basic building blocks, however, non-behaviourists believe complex human behaviour such as attachment cannot be explained using animals as it becomes over-simplified.
the idea that comfort and food are the most important assets in the formation of attachments. Schaffer Emerson and Bowlby found that feeding had nothing to do with attachment and that food may not be the main reward/reinforcement that encourages the development of attachment but rather comfort and attention.
