3.4 Learning theory of attachment

Question 1

What are the assumptions of the Behaviourist Model?

Answer 1

All behaviour is learnt from the environment.
According to this model we ‘learn’ our responses through our interaction with the environment.
The same laws govern both animal and human behaviours.

Question 2

What is the learning theory also known as?

Answer 2

The behaviourist theory

Question 3

What is conditioning given as an explanation for?

Answer 3

For how attachments form

Question 4

What are the two types of conditioning?

Answer 4

Classical conditioning
Operant conditioning

Question 5

What is classical conditioning?

Answer 5

This is about learning associations between different things in our environment.
Getting food naturally gives the baby pleasure.
The baby’s desire for food is fulfilled whenever its mother is around to feed it.
So an association is formed between mother and food.
So, whenever its mother is around, the baby will feel pleasure - i.e. attachment.

Question 6

What is operant conditioning?

Answer 6

Babies feel discomfort when they’re hungry and so have a desire to get food to remove the discomfort.