Explanations Of Attachment: Learning Theory (Dollard & Miller)

Question 1

What is learning theory aka?

Answer 1

Cupboard Love Theory

Question 2

Classical Conditioning

Answer 2

Learning to associate 2 stimuli together so that we begin to respond to one in the same way as we already respond to the other. In attachment, food is an unconditioned stimulus. Being fed gives us pleasure and we don’t have to learn that therefore it is an unconditioned response. A caregiver starts as a neutral stimulus i.e. thing that produces a neutral response. When that person provides food over time they become associated with food i.e. when baby sees this person they think of food. Neutral becomes conditioned stimulus and this produces a conditioned response.

Question 3

Operant Conditioning

Answer 3

Learning to repeat behaviour depending on its consequences. If behaviour produces a pleasant consequence then behaviour likely to be repeated again. Eg: crying leads to feeding from caregiver. If caregiver provides correct response then crying is reinforced.

Question 4

Attachment as a 2nd Drive

Answer 4

Hunger is thought of as primary drive: motivated to eat in order to reduce hunger drive.

Question 5

Weakness

Answer 5

Counter evidence from animal research. Animal studies shows attachment doesn’t develop as a result of feeding. This should mean that it should be the same for humans since they believe that non humans and humans were the same.

Question 6

Weakness

Answer 6

Counter evidence from human research. Schaffer and Emerson’s study showed that babies developed primary attachment to biological mother even though other carers did most feeding. This shows that there is no unconditioned stimulus or primary drive involved.

Question 7

Weakness

Answer 7

Learning theory ignores other factors associated with forming attachments. If attachment was based on feeding then there would be no point in reciprocity and interactional synchrony.

Question 8

Weakness

Answer 8

Learning theory isn’t a good explanation for attachment. Problem is that feeding is the only idea that provides unconditioned stimulus, reinforcement or primary drive.

Question 9

Strength (Hay & Vespo)

Answer 9

A new learning theory: social learning theory. This is when social behaviour is acquired largely as a result of modelling and behaviour imitation. Suggested that parents teach children to love them by modelling attachment and rewarding them and saying that’s a lovely hug.