Explanations of attachment

Question 1

What is the learning theory of attachment?

Answer 1

Classical and operant conditioning

Question 2

How does classical conditioning apply to attachment?

Answer 2

Infant learns to associate feeding/comfort with primary carer (food provider)

-mother acquires comforting properties by association

-Attachment is always to the food provider as the association between an individual and a sense of pleasure is the attachment bond

Question 3

How does operant conditioning apply to attachment?

Answer 3

-infant learns crying=positive response from adults (positive reinforcement)

-adult learns responding to crying brings relief from crying (negative reinforcement)

-the reward is food and this is the main reinforcer

-infant become attached to person who supplies food. This mutual reinforcement strengthens attachment

Question 4

What is attachment as a secondary drive?

Answer 4

Primary drive- hunger- were motivated to eat to reduce hunger drive

Secondary drive is attachment- as its learned through association with the satisfaction of the primary drive (hunger)

Question 5

Give 3 limitations of the learning theory of attachment

Answer 5

-Harlows monkeys
-Lorenz research
-Schaffer and Emerson

Question 6

How is Harlows monkeys a limitation of learning theory of attachment?

Answer 6

Harlow challenges the learning theory as monkeys prefer comfort and not food

Question 7

How is Lorenz research a limitation of learning theory of attachment?

Answer 7

lorenz challenges learning theory as it shows geese imprint when they hatch- attachment is innate

Question 8

How is Schaffer ands Emerson research a limitation of learning theory of attachment?

Answer 8

IT challenges learning theory as primary attachment is to the person most responsive to social releases- not necessarily food provider

Question 9

Give a counter to all 3 limitations

Answer 9

Conditioning must still be involved eg- through association with person providing emotional comfort (not just food)