Learning theory of attachment

• What is the classical conditioning learning theory of attachment?

  Before conditioning:

  UCS -> UCR

  Food -> happy

  NS = caregiver

  During conditioning:

  UCS+NS -> UCR

  Food + caregiver = happy

  After conditioning:

  CS -> CR

  Caregiver -> happy
• What is the operant conditioning learning theory of attachment?

  For baby:

  When the baby cries, it gets food. The baby enjoys food - it is a positive reward. The baby is positively reinforced to cry to receive food in the future.

  For caregiver:

  The baby cries. The caregiver feeds the baby and it stops crying, removing a negative stimulus. The caregiver is negatively reinforced to keep feeding the baby to stop the crying.
• Who invented the learning theory of attachment?

  Dollard & Miller
• What is the learning theory of attachment?

  Attachment is learned through processes like classical and operant conditioning, and the attachment bond is not an innate behaviour.
• What is classical conditioning?


  Learning through association
• What is operant conditioning?


  Learning through positive and negative reinforcement
• What is a primary reinforcer?


  Something that directly satisfies a primary drive e.g. food
• What is a secondary reinforcer?


  Something that is associated with a primary reinforcer
• What is the Harlow contradiction evaluation of the learning theory?

  P= Contradicted by Harlow's study

  E= Monkey's given choice of 2 mothers: a wire with milk bottle and cloth-covered with no milk bottle. Monkeys chose cloth-covered; highlights preference for contact comfort over food

  E= Suggests food isn't primary reason for attachment

  CA= The implications of transferring results of a study done on monkeys to humans
• What is the reductionist evaluation of the learning theory?

  P= Learning theory is reductionist

  E= Only considers food as driving force behind attachment formation and quality, doesn't consider other factors like sensitive responses

  E= Makes explanation over-simplistic
• What is the Schaffer & Emerson contradiction evaluation of the learning theory?

  P= Contradicted by Schaffer & Emerson study

  E= Visited infants in homes to establish how attachments form. Found that infants become attached to who spent most time sensitively responding to their needs.

  E= Weakens assumptions of the learning theory.
• What is the little albert evaluation of the learning theory?

  P= Supported by case of Little Albert

  E= When a loud noise was continuously paired with a white rat, he was conditioned to fear rats. (classical conditioning) Shows humans can learn through association

  E= Shows learning theory likely plays a part in attachment formation