Lesson 5 - Learning Theory

Question 1

How does learning theory explain behaviour

Answer 1

All behaviour is learned, not innate

Either through classical or operant conditioning

Question 2

Explain learning theory’s explanation of attachment regarding classical conditioning

Answer 2

Food - unconditioned stimulus
Pleasure - unconditioned response

Person providing food - neutral stimulus

THEN

Person providing food - conditioned stimulus
Pleasure - conditioned stimulus

According to classical conditioning this is how the attachment bond develops and
is the reason children feel pleasure in their caregiver’s presence.

Question 3

Explain learning theory’s explanation of attachment regarding operant conditioning

Answer 3

Baby receives positive reinforcement (behaviour produces pleasant consequence) for crying when they are hungry through feeding
-crying makes them get food

Caregiver receives negative reinforcement (behaviour removes something unpleasant) for feeding their baby when they cry
-feeding the baby makes the crying stop