Lesson 5: Learning Theory Of Attachment

Question 1

What does learning theory say?

Answer 1

All behaviour is learned rather than being innate, through classical or operant conditioning.

Question 2

What is classical conditioning in terms of attachment?

Answer 2

An infant is born with certain reflex responses. The US is food, and UR is pleasure. NS is person providing the food, and they become associated. person becomes conditioned. Why children feel pleasure around their caregiver.

Question 3

What is operant conditioning in terms of attachment?

Answer 3

Operant conditioning strengthens attachment. The baby receives positive reinforcement for getting fed if they cry. The caregiver receives negative reinforcement as the baby stops crying.

Question 4

Positives of learning theory.

Answer 4

Plausible and scientific. It is likely to be true as provision of needs and person providing them can cause a strong attachment.

Question 5

Negatives of learning theory

Answer 5

1. Harlow, Rhesus monkeys, comfort over food
2. Schaffer and Emerson, 29% of babies were more attached to someone other than mother
3. Explains how attachments form, but not why they form. Bowlby says they form for protection
4. Environmentally reductionist, explains complex human behaviour simply. Doesn’t take different types of attachment into consideration