the learning theory

Question 1

what is the learning theory?

Answer 1

the belief that attachments develop through conditioning processes

Question 2

what is the ‘cupboard love’ theory?

Answer 2

attachments are formed with the people who feed them

Question 3

how does classical conditioning explain attachment formation?

Answer 3

a certain stimulus becomes associated with another stimulus that isn’t normally associated with a response
-food (UCS) -> pleasure (UCR)
-food (UCS) + caregiver (NS) -> pleasure (UCR)
-Caregiver (CS) -> pleasure (CR)

Question 4

how does operant conditioning explain attachment formation?

Answer 4

caregivers are associated with reducing the unpleasant feeling of hunger (a negative reinforcement) so that the caregiver becomes a source of reinforcement themselves (reward)

Question 5

research on the learning theory

Answer 5

-Dollard & Miller 1950 - babies are fed 2000 times in their first year, usually by main carer, creating opportunity to remove the unpleasant feeling of hunger
-Schaffer & Emerson’s 1964 study said 39% of babies main attachment figure wasn’t their mother, going against learning theory

Question 6

briefly evaluate the learning theory

Answer 6

-conditioning best explains simple behaviours, attachments are complex
-schaffer 1971 - babies don’t live to eat, they eat to live, against cupboard love theory
-Bowlby 1973 - babies only need food occasionally, but constantly require emotional security, suggesting the learning theory isn’t the main reason for formation
-reductionist, simplifying complex behaviours