Explanations of attachments

Question 1

Who proposed learning theory of attachment

Answer 1

Dollard and Miller

Question 2

Summarise Dollard and Miller

Answer 2

• referred to as the cupboard love theory describes attachment through classical and operant conditioning.

Question 3

classical conditioning

Answer 3

-babies associate their care giver (neutral stimulus) with the pleasure of bring fed ( unconditioned stimulus).

Question 4

Explain classical conditioning

Answer 4

Classical conditioning in human attachment occurs when a baby learns to associate their caregiver with the pleasure and comfort of being fed

Question 5

Explain classical conditioning

Answer 5

food-unconditioned stimulus that naturally produces feeling of pleasure which is an unconditioned response
care giver- neutral stimulus with no conditioned response
However through repeated pairings with mother and food the caregiver becomes a conditioned stimulus which creates a conditioned response
-baby will associate mother with food

Question 6

Summarise operant conditioning

Answer 6

Operant conditioning in human attachment occurs through reinforcement where a babies behaviour are shaped by the consequences they produce.
- When a baby feels hunger it creates a drive state they are motivated to reduce . crying will bring the caregiver who provides food and comfort, reducing the hunger and discomfort.

• The act of feeding serves as negative reinforcement as it removes the unpleasant drive state

Positive reinforcement- the care giver may find the babies contentment rewarding

Question 7

evaluations

Answer 7

-Lorenz’s geese imprinted before they were fed and maintained an attachment despite who fed them.
- goes against learning theory of attachment

-Harlow’s monkey attached to cloth monkey as they provided comfort
-goes against learning theory as they argue food is important for attachment

Question 8

Human evaluations

Answer 8

Schaffer and Emmerson study showed that many of the babies developed a primary attachment to their biological mother even though other people did the feeding. The quality of interaction with the infant was most important-stronger attachments were formed with the person who was most sensitive and responsive to infants needs

Reciprocity - strength
-learning theory is based on two way interactions between infant and caregiver