Dollard and Miller: Learning Theory Flashcards Preview

Attachment psychology > Dollard and Miller: Learning Theory > Flashcards

Flashcards in Dollard and Miller: Learning Theory Deck (7)
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1
Q

what is the theory?

A

children learn to love whoever feeds them (biological survival instinct)

2
Q

what is the classical conditioning?

A

where the NCS (food) leads to UCR (attachment) and the NS is the caregiver

3
Q

what is the operant conditioning?

A

babies cry so they get attention (negative reinforcement for mother and baby)

4
Q

what are the primary and secondary drives?

A
  • hunger is a primary drive

- attachment is a secondary drive because of the satisfaction of the primary drive being seen to

5
Q

negative evaluation:

animal studies give evidence against food as the basis of attachment

A
  • lorenz;s imprinting geese attachment regardless of who fed them
  • Harlow monkeys attached to cloth monkey rather than wire monkey with food
  • in both studies attachment, didn’t develop because of feeding
  • same must be true for humans as learning theorists say animals and humans are equivalent
6
Q

negative evaluation:

human research shows feeding wasn’t an important factor

A
  • Shaffer and Emerson (1964) show many babies primary attachment wasn’t to the person who fed them
  • shows feeding not a key element of attachment (no US or primary drive involved)
  • evidence suggests others factors are more important than food
7
Q

positive evaluation:

some elements of conditioning could still are involved

A
  • the main problem is the idea that feeding provides the US, primary drive or reinforcement
  • although many aspects of human development affected by conditioning so it could still play a role (but not with feeding)
  • e.g CC could explain the link between primary caregiver attachment and comfort