PAPER 1 - ATTACHMENT - learning theory

Question 1

what approach is learning theory?

Answer 1

behaviourist approach

Question 2

what is learning theory?

Answer 2

• leaning occurs through operant and classical conditioning (not innate like Bowlby)
• food is the basis of attachment
• all behaviour is learned

Question 3

what are the 2 types of conditioning?

Answer 3

operant conditioning
classical conditioning

Question 4

what is classical conditioning?

Answer 4

attachment that occurs through association, the carer is associated with food which causes pleasure
- involuntary response

Question 5

what is operant conditioning?

Answer 5

attachment that occurs through reinforcement, the negative drive of hunger is reduced with food

Question 6

what is food according to operant conditioning?

Answer 6

primary reinforcer

Question 7

what is the provider according to operant conditioning?

Answer 7

secondary reinforcer

Question 8

what is the unconditioned stimulus?

Answer 8

UCS - food

Question 9

what is the unconditioned response?

Answer 9

UCR - salivation/ pleasure

Question 10

what is the neutral stimulus?

Answer 10

NS - mother

Question 11

what is the conditioned stimulus?

Answer 11

CS - mother

Question 12

what is the conditioned response?

Answer 12

CR - happiness/ salivation when mother is seen (associated with food)

Question 13

what is the acquisition stage?

Answer 13

pairing of the UCS and NS

Question 14

how does Schaffer and Emerson’s Glasgow babies criticise learning theory?

Answer 14

they suggested that attachment was formed with the most responsive and sensitive, not just who they spent the most time with or who they fed from

Question 15

what is positive reinforcement within operant conditioning?

Answer 15

a positive consequence to a behaviour is added e.g. food

Question 16

what is negative reinforcement?

Answer 16

something unpleasant is removed as a consequence to a behaviour e.g. hunger

Question 17

what is reinforcement?

Answer 17

• rewards
• something that the environment that strengthens a particular behaviour and makes it more likely to occur

Question 18

what theory is the operant conditioning explanation for attachment based on?

Answer 18

drive reduction theory (drives motivate behaviour)

Question 19

which study supports learning theory?

Answer 19

pavlovs dogs