The Learning Theory

Question 1

What is classical conditioning?

Answer 1

A process of learning through association. Neutral stimuluses are pairs with stimuluses that already produce a response, so that over time, the neutral stimulus also produces that response

Question 2

What is operant conditioning?

Answer 2

A process of learning through reinforcement. When a behaviour is followed by a desirable consequence, it becomes more frequent. If a behaviour is followed by a undesirable consequence, it becomes less frequent

Question 3

Who were the psychologists who applied classical and operant conditioning to attachments?

Answer 3

Dollard and Miller

Question 4

How do Dollard and Miller apply classical conditioning to attachments? (Classical conditioning theory)

Answer 4

The caregiver providing food starts of as a neutral stimulus. Through classical conditioning, associations between the caregiver and food are made over time.

Turning the caregiver from a neutral stimulus to a conditioned stimulus.

Once conditioning has taken place, the sight of the caregiver produces a conditioned response of pleasure. This is the basis of love

Question 5

What is the classical condition theory also known as?

Answer 5

The cupboard love theory

Question 6

Show the simple formation of an attachment

Answer 6

Simple explanation of attachment formation:

(unconditioned stimulus)Food = Pleasure (unconditioned response)

Food (unconditioned stimulus) + Mother (neutral stimulus) = Pleasure (unconditioned response)

Mother (conditioned stimulus) = Pleasure (conditioned response)

Question 7

Simple explanation of attachment formation:

(unconditioned stimulus)Food = Pleasure (unconditioned response)

Food (unconditioned stimulus) + Mother (neutral stimulus) = Pleasure (unconditioned response)

Mother (conditioned stimulus) = Pleasure (conditioned response)

Answer 7

Simple explanation of attachment formation:

(unconditioned stimulus)Food = Pleasure (unconditioned response)

Food (unconditioned stimulus) + Mother (neutral stimulus) = Pleasure (unconditioned response)

Mother (conditioned stimulus) = Pleasure (conditioned response)

Question 8

How do Dollard and Miller apply operant conditioning to attachments? (operant conditioning theory)

Answer 8

Dollard and Miller state when an infant is fed, a feeling of pleasure is produced. The behaviour that led to being fed (ex. crying) is then more likely to be repeated because it has resulted in a reward.

The person who supplies the food (reward) is associated with avoiding discomfort, becomes a secondary reinforcer and a source of reward in his/her own right

Attachment occurs because the child seeks the person who can supply he reward

Question 9

What is a study that provided opposing evidence?

Answer 9

The Lorenz Experiment

Question 10

What was the Lorenz Experiment?

Answer 10

Lorenz divided a clutch of goose eggs. In one control, half of the eggs hatched with the mother. In another control, half of the eggs hatched in an incubator, with Lorenz being the first moving object they saw.

Question 11

What did the findings of the Lorenz experiment show?

Answer 11

The Lorenz experiment found that the incubator group followed Lorenz everywhere (even though Lorenz had not been personally feeding them). Whereas the other group followed the mother everywhere

Question 12

Evaluate Lorenz’s experiment:
One positive + One negative

Answer 12

Lorenz’s study proved that young animals do not attach to those who feed them because Lorenz’s geese imprinted (became attached before they were fed)

Lorenz’s study cannot be generalised to the wider population as he used animals. Thus, the study lacks population validity

Question 13

What is an experiment that contradicts the learning theory?

Answer 13

Harlow’s Monkeys

Question 14

What is the Harlow monkey’s experiment about?

Answer 14

Harlow had 16 infant rhesus monkeys who were deprived of their mothers until 8 months old. They were then presented with a wire monkey and a comfort monkey. The wire monkey had a feeding bottle supplying milk and the comfort monkey was just made out of cloth.

Psychologists measured the amount of time each monkey spent with each mother. This observation lasted for a duration off: 165 days

Question 15

What impact did Harlow’s monkeys experiment have on the learning theory?

Answer 15

Harlow’s monkey experiment disproved the belief that love is only based on physical needs. The monkeys grew to become the most attached to the cloth mother, who satisfied no physical needs of the monkey, showing that love and comfort were non physical needs

Question 16

What is a strength of the learning theory?

Answer 16

Schaffer and Emerson showed that for many babies a primary attachment was not to the person who fed them. This shows that feeding is not the key element to attachment. The evidence suggests that other factors are more important than food in the formation of attachments.