Explanations for attachment; learning theory

• Who proposed the core idea of attachment in learning theory?

  Dallard and Meller
• What does the cupboard approach emphasize in attachment theory?

  The importance of the attachment figure as a provider of food
• According to learning theory, how do children learn to love?

  By loving whoever feeds them
• What do behaviorists propose about all behavior, including attachment formation?

  All behavior is learned rather than innate
• What is classical conditioning in the context of attachment?

  Learning through association between stimuli
• In classical conditioning, what does the mother represent before conditioning?

  Neutral stimulus (NS)
• What does the unconditioned stimulus (UCS) produce during conditioning?

  Pleasure (UCR)
• What happens to the mother during conditioning?

  She becomes a conditioned stimulus (CS)
• What is operant conditioning in the context of attachment?

  Learning from the consequences of behavior
• How does crying function in the context of attachment?

  Crying leads to caregiver response, reinforcing behavior
• What is the role of positive reinforcement in attachment?

  It encourages the baby to repeat crying
• What is the concept of drive reduction in learning theory?

  Attachment is a secondary drive learned through association
• According to Sears et al., how does hunger relate to attachment?

  Hunger becomes generalized to caregivers
• What did Harlow's study demonstrate about attachment?

  Comfort is more important than food
• What did Schaffer and Emerson find about infant attachment?

  Infants often attach to biological mothers despite feeding
• What is a limitation of learning theory regarding attachment?

  It is based largely on animal research
• What did Ainsworth recognize about attachment?

  It involves innate predispositions
• What does social learning theory propose about attachment?

  Attachment is acquired through modeling and imitation
• How do children learn affectionate behavior according to social learning theory?

  By observing and imitating their parents
• What is the significance of interactional synchrony in attachment?

  It predicts the quality of attachment
• What does learning theory fail to explain about attachment?

  Complex interactions beyond feeding
• What is a criticism of the reinforcement aspect of learning theory?

  It may not be the most important factor
• What are the key concepts of learning theory in attachment?

  • Attachment is learned through conditioning
  • Classical conditioning associates caregiver with pleasure
  • Operant conditioning reinforces behaviors like crying
  • Attachment is a secondary drive linked to hunger
• What are the limitations of learning theory in explaining attachment?

  • Based largely on animal research
  • Oversimplifies complex human behaviors
  • Ignores innate predispositions
  • Fails to account for emotional aspects
• Secure attachment is characterized by a child feeling confident that their caregiver will be available and responsive when needed, leading to healthy emotional development.
• Children develop internal working models based on their early attachment experiences, influencing their future relationships and interactions.
• Attachment theory was developed by John Bowlby, emphasizing the importance of early emotional bonds between infants and caregivers in shaping social and emotional development.