Explanations Of Attachment. Flashcards
(13 cards)
What is the cupboard love theory.
States that according to learning theory, the baby has to learn to form attachment with their primary caregiver.
How does the cupboard love theory work?
By the process of classical conditioning the baby forms an assassination between primary caregiver (neutral stimulus) and feeling of pleasure after being fed (unconditioned stimulus)
How does learning theory link attachment to pleasure?
Learning theory focuses on the baby wanting its needs fulfilled.
How does Operant conditioning explain attachment?
- Dollard and Miller (1950) claimed babies feel discomfort when hungry and have desire to remove discomfort.
- When the discomfort is removed (negative reinforcement) from their mother feeding them they wat to be close to her.
- Explains why babies attach to mothers.
Strengths and weaknesses of learning theory.
- Reductionist: tries to explain complex neurological systems in a simple manor.
- Uses animal research.
- However lots of scientific research supports.
What is the evolution theory?
According to Bowlby, attachment is a behavior that has evolved because of its survival value.
What does Bowlby’s attachment theory state about type of attachment formed?
Bowlby believed infants form one special attachment with mother called MONOTROPY.
What is the sensitive period and when does it form, in Bowlby’s theory of attachment.
at 3-6 months and is when babies should develop attachments to their caregiver.
When is the critical period and when does it form, in Bowlby’s theory of attachment.
2-2.5 years.
In this period infants attachment systems still active.
If they fail to form attachments in this period, become damaged for life.
What is the emotional and intellectual consequences of separation between infant and primary care giver called?
Bowlby’s Maternal Deprivation Hypothesis.
what does Bowlby say the consequences of Maternal Deprivation to be?
Lower IQ
Less emotional affection for others (psychopathy)
Poor emotional relationships in the future life.
Evidence against Bowlby’s Attachment theory.
Harlow’s study of monkeys grown in isolation showed evidence against Monotropy. Monkeys without PCG attached later in life.
Evidence for Maternal Deprivation theory came from orphans during WW2.
Orphans where often deprived of all aspects of care not just maternal.
evidence supporting Bowlby’s attachment theory.
Harlow’s study supports the idea we evolved to need to attach.
