Learning theory of attachment

• What does the learning theory of attachment propose?

  All behavior is learned rather than innate
• What is the cupboard love theory in attachment?

  Infants attach to caregivers providing food
• What are the two ways attachment develops according to the learning theory?

  Classical conditioning and operant conditioning
• How does classical conditioning explain attachment?

  Infants associate caregivers with pleasure from feeding
• What is an unconditioned stimulus (UCS)?

  A stimulus producing an automatic response
• What is an unconditioned response (UCR)?

  An automatic response to an unconditioned stimulus
• What is a neutral stimulus (NS)?

  A stimulus that produces no initial response
• What happens to a neutral stimulus during conditioning?

  It becomes a conditioned stimulus (CS)
• What is a conditioned response (CR)?

  A learned response to a conditioned stimulus
• How does operant conditioning relate to attachment in infants?

  Behaviors are reinforced by caregiver responses
• What is positive reinforcement in the context of attachment?

  When behavior is rewarded, like feeding
• What is negative reinforcement in attachment behavior?

  Removal of an unpleasant stimulus, like crying
• What did Sears et al. suggest about attachment?

  Attachment is a secondary drive learned through satisfaction
• What is a strength of the learning theory of attachment?

  It is a plausible explanation for attachment
• What is a weakness of the learning theory of attachment?

  It has refuting research from animal studies
• How does Harlow's study challenge the learning theory?

  Monkeys preferred contact comfort over food
• What did Lorenz find regarding imprinting?

  Geese imprint on the first moving object seen
• What is Bowlby's theory of attachment focused on?

  Attachment serves an evolutionary function
• What is a limitation of the learning theory compared to Bowlby's theory?

  It does not explain why attachments form
• How does the learning theory view the role of food in attachment?

  Food is not the most important factor
• What does the learning theory suggest about the caregiver's sensitivity?

  It may not be as important as feeding
• What is the significance of the critical period in attachment?

  It is when attachment behaviors are most crucial
• What is the internal working model in attachment theory?

  A mental representation of relationships formed
• How does early attachment influence later relationships?

  It shapes expectations and interactions in adulthood
• What is the role of social releasers in attachment?

  They trigger caregiving responses during the critical period
• What does the term 'institutionalization' refer to in attachment studies?

  The effects of growing up in an institution
• What are cultural variations in attachment?

  Differences in attachment styles across cultures
• What is the significance of Ainsworth's 'Strange Situation'?

  It identifies different types of attachment
• What are the three types of attachment identified by Ainsworth?

  Secure, insecure-avoidant, insecure-resistant
• What does Bowlby's theory of maternal deprivation suggest?

  Separation from the mother can harm development
• What are the effects of institutionalization as seen in Romanian orphan studies?

  Negative impacts on emotional and social development
• How does the learning theory of attachment explain the role of food?

  Food is associated with caregiver attachment
• What is the main criticism of the learning theory of attachment?

  It oversimplifies the complexity of attachment
• What does the learning theory fail to account for in attachment?

  Emotional bonds beyond feeding relationships
• How does the learning theory relate to behaviorism?

  It is based on behaviorist principles of learning
• What is the significance of caregiver responsiveness in attachment?

  It fosters secure attachments in infants
• How does the learning theory view the infant's initial state?

  Infants are seen as blank slates at birth
• What does the term 'drive reduction' refer to in operant conditioning?

  Reducing discomfort through caregiver responses
• What is the role of reinforcement in attachment according to the learning theory?

  It strengthens the bond between caregiver and infant
• How does the learning theory explain the development of attachment behaviors?

  Through learned associations and reinforcements