Explanation of Attachment: The learning theory of attachment

• Background

  • The learning theory of attachment suggests that an infant learns to form an attachment to a caregiver through classical and operant conditioning #
• Classical conditioning and attachment 

  • Classical conditioning is learning through association
  • Classical conditioning has been used to explain attachment
  • According to this explanation, food (UCS) produces pleasure (UCR) in an infant
  • The mother (NS) initially causes no response in the infant
  • However, the infant learns to associate the mother with the food, and soon, the mother alone (CS) will produce the pleasure (CR) that is usually produced by food
  • The infant will therefore form an attachment to the mother as she creates a sense of pleasure 
• Before conditioning

  Food (UCS) > Pleasure (UCR)

  Mother (NS) > No response

  During conditioning

  Food (UCS) + Mother (NS) > Pleasure (UCR)

  After conditioning

  Mother (CS) > Pleasure (CR)
• What is operant conditioning?

  Learning through consequences
• Who used operant conditioning to explain attachment?

  Dollard & Miller
• What creates discomfort in an infant according to Dollard & Miller's explanation?

  Hunger
• What happens when an infant is fed?

  Their discomfort is reduced, producing feelings of pleasure
• What is considered the primary reinforcer in the context of attachment?

  Food
• What does the infant learn to recognize as a secondary reinforcer?

  The person who provides food
• What is the effect of remaining in close proximity to the person who provides food?

  The infant will be fed, experiencing positive reinforcement
• What does negative reinforcement help the infant avoid?

  The discomfort of hunger
• What behavior does the infant repeat as a result of operant conditioning?

  Remaining in close proximity to the person who provides food
• What is the outcome of the infant's behavior of remaining close to the food provider?

  The infant forms an attachment to that person
• Cupboard love

  • The learning theory of attachment is also known as the cupboard love theory
  • This is because it proposes that attachment bonds are formed based upon the provision of food