Explanations of attachment: learning theory

• What is the main focus of learning theory in attachment?

  Attachments develop through conditioning.
• What does the term "cupboard love" refer to in attachment theory?

  Love based on the caregiver providing food.
• Who proposed the learning theory of attachment?

  John Dollard and Neil Miller.
• What is the unconditioned stimulus in classical conditioning of attachment?

  Food.
• What is the neutral stimulus in the context of attachment?

  The caregiver before feeding occurs.
• What happens to the neutral stimulus after conditioning?

  It becomes a conditioned stimulus.
• What is the conditioned response in attachment theory?

  Pleasure from seeing the caregiver.
• How does operant conditioning explain crying in infants?

  Crying leads to caregiver response and comfort.
• What is the role of reinforcement in attachment according to operant conditioning?

  It strengthens the attachment through responses.
• What is a primary drive in the context of learning theory?

  A biological motivator like hunger.
• How is attachment considered a secondary drive?

  It is linked to the satisfaction of primary drives.
• What do Sears et al. (1957) suggest about attachment?

  It is associated with caregiver satisfaction of primary drives.
• What does research into early infant-caregiver interaction suggest?

  Quality of interaction influences attachment.
• What is interactional synchrony?

  Coordination of caregiver and infant behaviors.
• What do studies show about the best quality attachments?

  They are with sensitive caregivers.
• Why is learning theory criticized in explaining attachment?

  It overlooks emotional and social factors.
• What is the significance of counter-evidence from animal studies?

  It shows attachment isn't solely based on feeding.
• What did Schaffer and Emerson's study reveal about human attachment?

  Feeding isn't the only factor in attachment.
• What does the newer explanation by Hay and Vespo (1988) focus on?

  Social learning through modeling and imitation.
• How do parents teach children to love them according to Hay and Vespo?

  By modeling attachment behaviors like hugging.
• What are the key components of learning theory in attachment?

  • Classical conditioning: association of caregiver with food.
  • Operant conditioning: reinforcement of crying behavior.
  • Attachment as a secondary drive linked to primary drives.
• What are the criticisms of learning theory in explaining attachment?

  • Overemphasis on feeding as the attachment factor.
  • Neglect of emotional and social interactions.
  • Counter-evidence from animal and human studies.
• What are the implications of interactional synchrony in attachment?

  • Importance of caregiver responsiveness.
  • Development of strong emotional bonds.
  • Influence on the quality of attachment.