the learning approach

Question 1

what is the learning approach in the explanation of the formation of attachments

Answer 1

Dollard & Miller (1950) proposed that caregiver-infant interactions could
be explained via learning theory. Sometimes called ‘cupboard love’ -
children learn to love those who feed them.

Question 2

what are the behavioural learning techniques

Answer 2

classical conditioning and operant conditioning

Question 3

how to use classical conditioning to explain the infants attachment to the mother

Answer 3

mother acts as a NS
food - UCS which forms and UCR which is pleasure
mother + food
= the mother becomes the CS
and the UCR to the mother is created

Question 4

define reinforcement

Answer 4

reinforcement is something in the environment which increases the likelihood of behaviour

Question 5

what is positive / negative reinforcement

Answer 5

Positive reinforcement - when a behaviour
produces a consequence that is satisfying or
pleasant ie food to a hungry animal or praise to
a child; this will increase the likelihood of the
behaviour being repeated

Negative reinforcement - when a behaviour
leads to the removal of something unpleasant
ie rat suffering electric shock presses a lever
that stops the shock or a person turning off a
noisy alarm clock; this will increase the
likelihood of the behaviour being repeated.

Question 6

AO3 evaluation for the learning theory on attachment

Answer 6

Animal Studies - Lorenz showed that geese imprinted regardless of
whether there was food.

Animal Studies - Harlow’s monkeys displayed attachment behaviour
towards the ‘soft’ mother in preference to the wire one with the food.

Human research - Schaffer & Emerson found that the main attachment
was to the mother regardless of whether she was the one to do the
feeding.

Human Research - Isabella found that high levels of interactional
synchrony predicted the quality of the attachment therefore not related
to food.

Question 7

to counter argue the learning theory disadvantages

Answer 7

Some conditioning may be involved.
Unlikely that association with food is a
central role to attachment but the baby
may feel warm & comfortable with the
presence of a particular adult so this
determines who they chose as main
attachment figure. Therefore could be
conditioning taking place.