Lesson 5 - Learning theories Flashcards
1
Q
Ivan Pavlov’s study
A
Experimented with classical conditioning. He found that dogs could salivate at the sound of a bell
- Food is the unconditioned stimulus and salivating was the unconditioned response
- The bell (NS) had no response
- Pairing food and the bell together resulted in the dog salivating, until the bell on its own (conditioned stimulus) resulted in the dog salivating (conditioned response)
This supports the idea of cupboard love, as the mother could be the conditioned stimulus which resulted in comfort and pleasure.
2
Q
B.F Skinner
A
He experimented with operant conditioning. He found that rats could learn to press a lever to find a reward
- With a CG and I, crying results in positive reinforcement as the baby receives food and comfort. With the caregiver, crying results in negative reinforcement, as they will give the baby food and comfort to avoid them being hurt and upset. This mutual reinforcement strengthens attachments.
3
Q
Attachment as a secondary drive
A
- For humans, hunger is a innate biological motivator to find food. The person who supplies the food (CG) could be seen as a secondary drive, as we associate them with the satisfaction of the primary drive.
4
Q
Weaknesses of the learning theory
A
- Pavlov and Skinner’s experiments were based on animals. It is difficult to generalise this to humans as we have more complex cognitive functions.
- Lorenz and Harlow showed that food is not the cause of attachments, which contradict Pavlov and Skinner
- These studies are reductionist and ignore factors such as interactional synchrony and reciprocity which are important precursors for later relationships
5
Q
Strengths of learning theory
A
- Learning attachments due to food is undeniably one of the causes of attachment, just not the sole reason.
- SOCIAL learning theory by Bandura, Hay and Vespo (1988) is developed theory that suggests that infants learn to be affectionate by watching others be affectionate.
