Attachment: explanations

Question 1

Explain how the learning theory links attachment to pleasure (classical conditioning)

Answer 1

• learning associations between different things.
  -> getting food gives baby pleasure. Desire is filled when mother is there to feed.
  -> association formed between mother and food.
  -> when mother is around, baby will feel pleasure -> results in attachment.

Question 2

Explain how the learning theory links attachment to pleasure (operant conditioning)

Answer 2

• Dollard + Miller -> discomfort when hungry -> desire to get food to remove discomfort.
  -> if they cry, mothers will come and feed them -> discomfort is removed (negative reinforcement).
  -> mother is associated with food and the baby wants to be close to her.

Question 3

Evaluate the learning theory as an explanation for attachment

Answer 3

(+) support from scientific research (e.g. Dollard + Miller).
(-) reductionist -> explains complex attachment using simple stimulus -> response processes.
(-) evidence from animal research -> findings aren’t generalisable.
(-) Schaffer + Emerson -> findings don’t support fully -> 1/2 of infants don’t have the mother as a primary attachment.

Question 4

Summarise the features of Bowlby’s Monotropic theory

Answer 4

• Attachment explained by evolution -> we evolved a biological need to attach to a PC (primary caregiver).
• One special attachment (monotropy)
• Internal working model (IWM)
• there is a critical period for attachment

Question 5

What is monotropy (Bowbly’s monotropic theory)

Answer 5

• we create one special attachment -> we form one main attachment (usually our biological mother).
  -> has survival value, staying close to PC ensures food and protection.
  -> strong attachment provides a ‘safe base’ -> confidence to explore the environment.

Question 6

What is the IWM (Bowlby’s monotropic theory)

Answer 6

• infant attachment acts as a ‘template’ for future relationships.
  -> we learn to trust others.
• It is a ‘working’ model as it can change/develop over time -> depending on how person’s relationships change.
• PC provides foundations for child’s future relationships -> the continuity hypothesis.

Question 7

What is the critical period for attachment (Bowlby’s monotropic theory)

Answer 7

• the 1st 3 years are a critical period for attachment -> otherwise the kid may never attach.
• if an attachment is not developed (e.g. separation/ death) or broken, may seriously damage social + emotional development.
• maternal deprivation hypothesis -> assumes if a relationship between the PC and infant is disrupted during critical period, there are long-term consequences.

Question 8

Evaluate Bowlby’s monotropic theory

Answer 8

(+) support from Harlow’s monkeys -> evolved need to attach. social and emotional development may be damaged of an attachment isn’t formed.

(-) Schaffer and Emerson -> against monotropy.
-> rather one attachment -> many children form multiple attachments.
-> may not attach to their mother.

(-) Harlow’s study also goes against -> monkeys who didn’t have a mother but grew together didn’t show social/emotional disturbances in later life.
-> no so PC but attached to each other instead.

(-) Mixed evidence for claims of critical period for attachments to develop.

(-) Bowbly’s report in 1950s led to increase in ‘stay at home mothering’
-> impact on economy as fewer women worked.