Attachment- Explanations and Ainsworths strange situation Flashcards
What is the learning theory of attachment ?
It argues that infants become attached to their caregivers because they learn that their caregiver provides food
How can classical conditioning be used to explain the learning theory of attachment ?
Mother starts as neutral stimulus that produces no response from baby, food is an unconditioned stimulus that produces an unconditioned response from baby. Baby learns that whenever mother is present there is food. Over time mother turns into conditioned stimulus that produces a conditioned response of pleasure from baby.
How can operant conditioning be used to explain the learning theory of attachment ?
Evidence for positive reinforcement is when a parent feeds a crying baby as the baby learns it is more likely to get fed if it cry’s
What is a primary drive and give an example
A primary drive is instinctive such as eating or sleeping
What is a secondary drive and give an example
A secondary drive is learnt such as the cupboard love theory , Secondary drives often lead to satisfying a primary drive for example in this case, hunger
What is bowlbys monotropic theory ?
This is an evolutionary explanation of attachment and argues that infants have a drive to form a specially strong attachment to their mother and stay in close proximity
What are social releasers ?
Things such as a cute face on a baby that unlock the innate tendency for adults to care for a child as it activates the mammalian attachment system
What is the monotropic relationship and what can babies do to strengthen this ?
The monotropic relationship is an attachment between mother and baby and to strengthen this babies can use signals called social releasers
What age does Bowlby suggest a monotropic relationship must form before ?
In the first 30 months after birth
Why has Bowlbys monotropic theory of attachment been criticised for alpha bias?
As it exaggerates the significance of the monotropic mothers role in raising a child. It does not explain the gender differences and just focuses on mothers
What are the 3 types of attachment ?
Insecure-avoidant
Secure
Insecure-resistant
What characteristics are seen in a child that is insecure-avoidant ?
Low stranger anxiety, Low separation anxiety when mother leaves and when she returns the child is indifferent and does not seek comfort
What characteristics are seen in a child that has a secure attachment ?
Use mother as safe base to explore, show moderate level of stranger anxiety and separation anxiety when mother leaves and happy reunion response when she returns
What characteristics are shown in a child that has an insecure-resistant attachment ?
Do not explore and are clingy, High stranger and separation anxiety (intense distress) when mum leaves the room and when mother returns they seem to both crave and resent affection.
Which attachment type is the least common?
Insecure resistant- 12%
