Lesson 5 - Learning theories

Question 1

Ivan Pavlov’s study

Answer 1

Experimented with classical conditioning. He found that dogs could salivate at the sound of a bell

• Food is the unconditioned stimulus and salivating was the unconditioned response
• The bell (NS) had no response
• Pairing food and the bell together resulted in the dog salivating, until the bell on its own (conditioned stimulus) resulted in the dog salivating (conditioned response)

This supports the idea of cupboard love, as the mother could be the conditioned stimulus which resulted in comfort and pleasure.

Question 2

B.F Skinner - how does this relate to attachments?

Answer 2

He experimented with operant conditioning. He found that rats could learn to press a lever to find a reward

• With a CG and I, crying results in positive reinforcement as the baby receives food and comfort. With the caregiver, crying results in negative reinforcement, as they will give the baby food and comfort to avoid them being hurt and upset. This mutual reinforcement strengthens attachments.

Question 3

Attachment as a secondary drive

Answer 3

• For humans, hunger is a innate biological motivator to find food. The person who supplies the food (CG) could be seen as a secondary drive, as we associate them with the satisfaction of the primary drive.

Question 4

Weaknesses of the learning theory

Answer 4

• Pavlov and Skinner’s experiments were based on animals. It is difficult to generalise this to humans as we have more complex cognitive functions.
• Lorenz and Harlow showed that food is not the cause of attachments, which contradict Pavlov and Skinner
• These studies are reductionist and ignore factors such as interactional synchrony and reciprocity which are important precursors for later relationships
• Schaffer and Emerson (1964) found that less than half of the infants in their longitudinal study formed attachments with the figure that fed them food the most - it was more so associated with the parent that was the most responsive. Challenges the idea that food is a primary drive for attachments.

Question 5

Strengths of learning theory

Answer 5

• Learning attachments due to food is undeniably one of the causes of attachment, just not the sole reason. Dollard and Miller (1950) argue that infants are fed around 2,000 times in the first year, giving them plenty of opportunity to form an association.
• SOCIAL learning theory by Bandura can be used to also explain attachments and affection. Hay and Vespo (1988) is developed this theory that suggests that infants learn to be affectionate by watching others be affectionate, for example parents. This can be done through:

     - Modelling (copying behaviours)
     - Direct instruction (teaching)
     - Social facilitation (encouraging acts of affection)