Explanations for attachment: Learning theory

Question 1

Classical conditioning

Answer 1

In attachment, food is an unconditioned stimulus (UCS) and pleasure is an unconditioned response (UCR). Certain things (such as the infant’s mother) become associated with food as they are present at the time when the infant is fed. These are called NS. If the NS (the mother) consistently associated with the UCS, it eventually becomes the CS and produces a CR.

Question 2

Operant conditioning - Dollar and Miller, 1950

Answer 2

When an animal is uncomfortable, this creates a drive to reduce that discomfort. In the case of a hungry infant, there is a drive to reduce the discomfort associated with hunger (Dollar and Miller, 1950). Consequently, when the infant is fed, this discomfort is reduced and the feeding produces feelings of pleasure shown as positive reinforcement. Food becomes the primary reinforcer, and the person who supplies the food becomes a secondary reinforcer (through classical conditioning). As a result, attachment occurs as the child seeks the person who supplies the reward (food).

Question 3

Learning theory explanations are based on animal studies - Criticism

Answer 3

P: A criticism of the learning theory of attachment is that it is based on animal studies (e.g. Skinner’s research). E: Although behaviourists believe that humans are no different to animals in the way they learn, critics argue that a human behaviour as complex as attachment cannot be explained in this way. It involves innate predispositions and mental activity that cannot be explained by conditioning. E: This suggests that the learning theory explanation is oversimplified and ignores factors such as contact comfort.

Question 4

Attachment is not based on food alone - Limitation

Answer 4

P: The main limitation of learning theory explanations is that they suggest food is the key element of attachment. E: Evidence from Harlow’s study with rhesus monkeys suggested that contact comfort rather than food was the most important factor in attachment. Shaffer and Emerson’s research with human children found that ‘sensitive responding’ from the caregiver was more important than the provision of food. E: This suggests that learning theory presents only a limited explanation of attachment.

Question 5

Learning theory has some explanatory power - Strength

Answer 5

P: A strength of learning theory is that it is able to explain some aspects of attachment. E: Infants do learn through association and reinforcement, but food may not be the most important reinforcer. It is possible that parental attention and responsiveness are more important factors that assist in the formation of attachment, thus supporting the basic principles of learning theory. E: This shows that even though learning theory does not provide a complete explanation of attachment, it still has some value.

Question 6

Bowlby’s theory offers an alternative explanation (Strength)

Answer 6

P: Learning theory was rejected as an explanation of attachment because a better theory appeared. E: Bowlby’s theory has many advantages in comparison to learning theory. E.g. it can explain why attachments form, whereas learning theory only explains how attachments form. Bowlby’s also explains the benefits of attachment (e.g. protection from harm), which are not explained through learning theory. E: This shows that Bowlby’s theory provides a more complete explanation of attachment than learning theory.

Question 7

Bowlby’s theory offers an alternative explanation - Strength

Answer 7

P: Learning theory was rejected as an explanation of attachment because a better theory appeared. E: Bowlby’s theory has many advantages in comparison to learning. E.g. it can explain why attachments form, whereas learning theory only explains how attachments form. Bowlby’s also explains the benefits of attachment (e.g. protection from harm), which are not explained through learning theory. E: This shows that Bowlby’s theory provides a more complete explanation of attachment than learning theory.