4. Learning Theory Of Attachment

Question 1

What is the role of classical conditioning in attachment?

Answer 1

How an attachment is formed

Question 2

What is the role of operant conditioning in attachment?

Answer 2

How an attachment is maintained

Question 3

What does the earning theory of attachment suggest?

Answer 3

Attachment is learnt through experience, not innate

Question 4

How are attachments learned according to the learning theory of attachment?

Answer 4

Classical and operant conditioning

Question 5

Describe the involvement of classical conditioning in the formation of attachment

Answer 5

• Learnt through association
• Food (UCS) produces innate response of happiness (UCR)
• Mother (NS) initially produces no response
• Mother brings food and becomes associated with UCS
• Mother (now CS) eventually produces feeling of happiness by herself (CR)

Question 6

Why is classical conditioning sometimes described as cupboard love?

Answer 6

Affection to the mother is only given so he infant can obtain food

Question 7

Describe the involvement of operant conditioning in attachment

Answer 7

• Child cries, caregiver responds with food, clean nappies & play (primary reinforcers)
• Child learns to seek caregiver as they provide these (secondary reinforcer)
• Caregiver provides care to stop infant crying (negative reinforcement)
• Infant cries t be rewarded with care (positive reinforcement)
• More likely to repeat which strengthens attachment

Question 8

What is drive reduction?

Answer 8

Wanting to reduce a feeling (e.g. hunger)

Question 9

What is the primary drive of reinforcement? What does this lead to?

Answer 9

Hunger (innate biological motivator)

-Motivated to eat to avoid so food is primary reinforcer

Question 10

What is the secondary drive in attachment? What does this lead to?

Answer 10

Attachment

-Learned by association of mother and satisfaction of primary drive therefore mother is secondary reinforcer

Question 11

Which research contradicts the learning theory of attachment?

Answer 11

Harlow’s- showed contact comfort more important

Schaffer and Emerson- showed sensitive responsiveness is main factor

Question 12

Why may classical conditioning still be relevant in another way?

Answer 12

Classical conditioning could explain other factors (e.g. caregiver may be associated with comfort or interaction)
-However the learning theory of attachment focuses on food

Question 13

What alternative theories to the learning theory of attachment are there?

Answer 13

Bowlby’s Monotropic Theory which contradicts by suggesting is an innate adaptive advantage

Question 14

Why is the learning theory of attachment reductionist?

Answer 14

• Only references behaviour with one factor
• Only focuses n stimulus-response and not cognitive processes
• Therefore not a developed explanation