explanations

• attachment and classical conditioning

  food --> pleasure

  food + caregiver --> pleasure

  caregiver --> pleasure
• cupboard love theory

  caregiver infant attachment explained via behaviourism

  infant attaches to whoever feeds them, caregiver associated with food
• Dollard and Miller 1950

  baby fed 2000 times in first year

  caregiver removes negative feeling of hunger
• operant condition explanation for attachment

  negative reinforcement: feeding of baby removes unpleasant feeling of hunger from baby, removes unpleasant crying for mother

  positive reinforcement: feeding baby is a reward
• Sears et Al 1975

  caregiver provides food, hunger drive generalises to them
• drive is something that motivates behaviour such as hunger

  feeding to reduce the drive is negative reinforcement

  food is primary reinforcer and caregiver is secondary reinforcer via classical conditioning
• Dole Hay and Jo Vespa (1988)

  modelling explains attachment behaviour

  child observe and imitate parents affectionate behaviour

  parents reward appropriate behaviour
• evaluate learning theory of attachment

  Harlow proved contact comfort is more important than food

  Schaffer and emerson said primary attachment due to sensitive responsiveness not feeding

  drive reduction theory rejected, behaviours don't always reduce discomfort

  Bowlby offered alternative explanation of attachment for survival
• bowlbys theory principles

  1. evolutionary theory
  2. monotropic theory
  3. critical period
  4. internal working model
• bowlby evolutionary theory

  attachment is innate, adaptive process

  attachment through natural selection, characteristics that aid survival passed through generations to cope with environment
• Bowlby social releasers

  babies have social releasers like smiling and crying

  elicits caring behaviour from adults

  help form attachment and appropriate protection from environment
• Bowlby monotropic theory

  babies initially indiscriminately attach and then form strongest main attachment with caregiver who does most sensitive responsiveness
• bowlby critical period

  if child does not form attachment before critical period 12 mths - 3 yrs

  harder to form attachments later on
• bowlby internal working model

  first monotropic attachment during critical period provides template for all future relationships
• Bowlby theory is socially sensitive

  stereotypes against women who work and spend less time with child and single fathers
• Bowlby evaluation

  RWA maternity leave, sweden offers 480 days highlighting importance of care in critical period

  supporting research Hazen and Shaver, Bailey et Al

  Schaffer contradicts, most babies attach to one person first, same attachment can be formed to other family members who give support

  socially sensitive