Explanations for attachment

Question 1

What are the 2 explanations for attachment?

Answer 1

1. Learning Theory
2. Bowlby’s monotropic theory

Question 2

Explain how infants form attachments based on classical conditioning.

Answer 2

• UCS food gives UCR pleasure.
• NS mother paired with food gives UCR pleasure.
• Eventually CS mother gives CR pleasure.

Question 3

Explain how infants form attachments based on operant conditioning.

Answer 3

• Positive reinforcement - infant’s crying leads to caregiver feeding them.
• Negative reinforcement - when caregiver feeds infant they stop crying.
• Reinforcement strengthens attachment.
• Drive reduction - drive to reduce discomfort.
• Primary reinforcer - food
• Secondary reinforcer - mother

Question 4

Explain how attachments form based on Bowlby’s monotropic theory (evolutionary explanation).

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Answer 4

• Adaptive - attachment is innate & important for survival.
• Social releasers - babies have innate cute features that activate innate adult attachment system (tendency for adults to care for them).
• Critical period - attachment should be formed in first 2.5 years
• Monotropy - attachment with primary caregiver is very important in emotional development.
• Internal working model - mental representation of relationship with primary caregiver. Template for future relationships.