explanations of attachment: learning theory

Question 1

in 1949 what did Dollard and Miller define attachment as

Answer 1

a set of learned behaviours which results from experience of environment

Question 2

what are the 2 theories within learning theory

Answer 2

classical conditioning

operant conditioning

Question 3

define classical conditioning

Answer 3

learning to associate to 2 stimuli together

Question 4

define cupboard love theory

Answer 4

children love whoever feeds them

Question 5

explain how a baby forms an attachment to it’s mother through classical conditioning

Answer 5

unconditioned stimulus (food) –> unconditioned response (pleasure)

neutral stimulus (mother) —> no conditioned response (not happy)

neutral stimulus (mother) + unconditioned stimulus (food) —> unconditioned response (pleasure)

conditioned stimulus (mother) —> conditioned response (pleasure)

Question 6

define operant conditioning

Answer 6

learning to repeat a behaviour or not depending on it’s consequences

Question 7

define primary drive

Answer 7

innate biological motivator

Question 8

define drive reduction

Answer 8

we are motivated to eat to reduce the feeling of hunger. which satisfies the primary drive

Question 9

define secondary drive

Answer 9

satisfaction of the primary hunger drive is associated with the caregiver and therefore an attachment is made because the caregiver satisfies the primary drive