explanations of attachment

• What is the primary caregiver's usual role in an infant's life?

  Usually their biological mother
• What do biological psychologists argue about attachment bonds?

  They are innate and biologically driven
• According to behaviorists, why do babies love their mothers?

  Because mothers provide food
• What is the 'cupboard love theory' of attachment?

  Attachment develops through learning associations with food
• What type of conditioning explains the 'cupboard love theory'?

  Classical conditioning
• How does classical conditioning work in the context of attachment?

  Infants associate their mother with food
• What is an unconditioned stimulus in the context of attachment?

  Food
• What does the term 'conditioned stimulus' refer to in attachment theory?

  Mother becomes associated with food
• What is operant conditioning in the context of infant behavior?

  Learning through reinforcement patterns
• What is positive reinforcement in attachment relationships?

  Adding a pleasant stimulus to increase behavior
• How does crying serve as a behavior in attachment?

  It prompts parents to provide milk
• What is the difference between primary and secondary drives?

  Primary drives are instinctual; secondary drives are learned
• How does attachment relate to secondary drives?

  Attachment is learned to satisfy primary drives
• What is a criticism of learning theory in attachment?

  It oversimplifies the attachment process
• What does 'face validity' mean in the context of attachment theory?

  The theory makes intuitive sense
• Who conducted research supporting classical conditioning?

  Pavlov
• Who conducted research supporting operant conditioning?

  Skinner
• What is environmental reductionism?

  Oversimplifying behavior to environmental factors
• What did Harlow's studies suggest about attachment?

  Infants need comfort, not just food
• What is Bowlby's monotropic theory of attachment?

  Infants are driven to form a strong bond
• What is the primary caregiver's usual role in an infant's life?

  Usually their biological mother
• What does 'monotropy' refer to in Bowlby's theory?

  The primary bond is with one caregiver
• What do biological psychologists argue about attachment bonds?

  They are innate and biologically driven
• According to behaviorists, why do babies love their mothers?

  Because mothers provide food
• What are social releases according to Bowlby?

  Innate behaviors that draw caregiver attention
• What is the 'cupboard love theory' of attachment?

  Attachment develops through learning associations with food
• What type of conditioning explains the 'cupboard love theory'?

  Classical conditioning
• What is the critical period for forming attachments?

  First 30 months after birth
• How does classical conditioning work in attachment?

  Infants associate mothers with food and pleasure
• What is an unconditioned stimulus in the context of attachment?

  Food
• What is an internal working model?

  A blueprint for future relationships
• What does the term 'conditioned stimulus' refer to in attachment theory?

  Mother becomes associated with food
• How does consistent care affect attachment strength?

  It results in a stronger attachment bond
• What is operant conditioning in the context of infant behavior?

  Learning through reinforcement patterns
• What is positive reinforcement in attachment relationships?

  Providing milk when the baby cries
• What is 'safe base behavior' in infants?

  Exploring while returning for reassurance
• What is negative reinforcement in the context of infant crying?

  Stopping crying by providing care
• What is a limitation of applying animal research to humans?

  Human attachment is more flexible than in animals
• What are primary drives?

  Instinctual needs for survival
• How do secondary drives relate to primary drives?

  They are learned to satisfy primary drives