Learning Theory of Attachment

• What is the main premise of Learning Theory in attachment?

  Attachment is learned through conditioning.
• What are the two mechanisms of Learning Theory?

  • Classical Conditioning
  • Operant Conditioning
• What is the Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS) in Classical Conditioning?

  Food
• What is the Unconditioned Response (UCR) in Classical Conditioning?

  Happy Baby
• What role does the mother play during conditioning?

  She is the Neutral Stimulus (NS).
• What happens to the mother after conditioning?

  She becomes the Conditioned Stimulus (CS).
• What is the Conditioned Response (CR) after conditioning?

  Happy Baby
• What is the key idea of Classical Conditioning in attachment?

  Infant associates caregiver with food and pleasure.
• What are the two types of reinforcement in Operant Conditioning?

  • Positive Reinforcement: Pleasant response from caregiver.
  • Negative Reinforcement: Avoidance of unpleasantness by caregiver.
• How does the two-way process of reinforcement work in attachment?

  Baby and caregiver both receive reinforcement.
• What is the key idea of Operant Conditioning in attachment?

  Behavior is repeated due to reinforcement.
• What is the primary drive in attachment theory?

  Hunger
• How is attachment formed as a secondary drive?

  Through association with caregiver and hunger satisfaction.
• What are the strengths of Learning Theory in attachment?

  • Provides practical application in attachment promotion.
  • Food's role in attachment is scientifically tested.
• What are the limitations of Learning Theory in attachment?

  1. Attachments can form without feeding.
  2. Animal studies contradict food-based attachment.
  3. Limited generalizability to humans.
• What did Schaffer and Emerson's research find about attachment?

  39% attached to non-feeding figure.
• What did Harlow's research with monkeys reveal about attachment?

  Monkeys preferred comfort over food.
• What do Lorenz's geese and Harlow's monkeys suggest about attachment?

  Comfort and imprinting are more important than feeding.
• Why is the generalizability of Learning Theory to humans questioned?

  It is mostly based on animal studies.
• What complexities does Learning Theory overlook in attachment?

  Emotional and biological factors.