Explanations of Attachment: Learning Theory Flashcards
What did Dollard and Miller propose?
caregiver-infant interactions could be explained by learning theory, in particularly cupboard love
What is Dollard and Miller’s Cupboard Love Theory?
emphasises importance of attachment figure as a provider of food
What is classical conditioning?
learning through association
How is classical conditioning applied to the Cupboard Love Theory?
food UCS
food provides pleasure UCR
caregiver NS
caregiver feeds baby, baby associates caregiver with feelings of pleasure from food
caregiver CS
pleasure to caregiver CR
What is operant conditioning?
learning through consequences
What are the two forms of operant conditioning?
positive reinforcement
negative reinforcement
What is positive reinforcement?
being rewarded for a particular behaviour which increases likelihood the behaviour is repeated
What is negative reinforcement?
removing a negative stimulus for a particular behaviour which increases likelihood the behaviour is repeated
How is positive reinforcement applied to the learning theory of attachment?
baby cries
caregiver feeds/comforts baby in response to crying
baby receives REWARD for crying
baby repeats behaviour for comfort/feeding from caregiver
How is negative reinforcement applied to the learning theory of attachment?
baby cries
caregiver feeds/comforts baby
baby stops crying, negative stimulus removed
caregiver is relieved
caregiver repeats feeding/comforting baby when it cries
What other main concept other than conditioning do learning theorists draw upon?
drive reduction
How is drive reduction applied to the Cupboard Love Theory?
Hunger seen as primary drive- innate, biological motivator
motivated to eat to reduce hunger
How did Sears relate ideas of drive reduction and attachment?
caregiver reduces hunger drive (primary)
primary hunger drive generalised to caregivers
attachment therefore secondary drive as a satisfaction of primary drive
How can we evaluate Learning Theory as an explanation for attachment?
R:
A:
I:
S:
E:
