learning theory Flashcards
(10 cards)
what does the learning theory suggest about attachment
attachments are a learned development taking a nurture perspective. two key learning processes by which how the environment molds our behaviour: operant conditioning and classical conditioning.
theories suggest attachment is learnt through food and pleasure interactions - so anyone can form attachment with infants.
classical conditioning: stimulus and response
food = unconditioned stimulus as we are born having a response of pleasure
we need food to survive therefore there is a natural response to food
caregiver = neutral stimulus as they dont mean anything to infant
no initial attachment or imprinting.
process of classical conditioning
the child receives food(ucs) from caregiver (ns) the infant gets pleasure from food, not caregiver.
the caregiver will repeatedly feed the infant - the infant will begin to associate the response of pleasure with the caregiver - now a learned response happening through association
operant conditioning - dollard and miller - what is the drive reduction theory
a drive is something which motivates behaviour. when an animal is uncomfortable, a drive is created to reduce discomfort. e.g when infant is hungry the primary drive is to reduce hunger.
how does the drive reduction theory apply to positive reinforcement
when an infant is hungry they cry due to discomfrot. the parent then feeds the baby to reduce hunger drive. the infant reproduces the behaviour which led them to being fed as it was rewarding - positive reinforcement
what is the reinforcers
food is the primary reinforcer as it supplies the reward of pleasure. and the person who supplies food is secondary reinforcer. attachment occurs because the infant will seek the person who can supply the reward. attachment then becomes a secondary drive
how is negative reinforcement occuring
the mother is avoiding something unpleasant in order to feel good. once they feel good this reinforces and therefore encourages avoidance behaviour to be repeated. in this case the mother is avoiding the child screaming or crying
strength pet - usefulness
p: the theory can be useful to reduce parental anxiety
e: fathers may be concerned they will be less able to form attachments with their infants because they may spend less time with them, similarly in same sex households parents may be worried about their ability to form attachments with their infants - however this theory suggests if your involved in feeding the infant you can form an attachment to them
t: the theory can have a positive impact and help parents from attachments with their infants via food
peet - contradictory evidence - limiation
p: contradictory evidence from animal studies
e: lorenz and harlow’s studies - imprinting and seeking comfort regardless of food
e: furthermore schaffer and emmerson’s research further supports this as it demonstrates infants form attachments to their mothers despite being often fed by other carers
t: reduces validity bc it seems food is not only key factor influencing attachment
strength - testability pet
p: one strength is that its central concepts have high testability as it is likely certain elements of conditioning could be involved in some aspects of attachment
e: e.g a baby may associate feeling warm and comfortable with the prescence of a particular adult, which may influence their choice of their main attachment figure.(face validity). furthermore the concepts of classicaly conditioning and operant conditioning have been empirically tested.
t: therefore the learning theory explanation of attachment can be viewed as scientific as its concepts have been founded in established theory
