learning theory

• outline the learning theory's explanation of attachement

  • based on the behaviourist approach
  • suggests attachment develops through classical and operant conditioning
• David and Miller 1950

  • proposed that caregiver-infant attachment can be explained by learning theory
  • their approach is sometimes referred to as 'cupboard love' because it emphasises the importance of the attachment figure as a provider of food
  • ->children learn to become attached to their caregiver because they give them food
• explain the role of classical conditioning in the formation of attachment

  • classical conditioning -> behaviour is learned through association
  • food = UCS which gives a UCR
  • caregiver starts as a NS -> produces no response
  • when caregiver (NS) provides food (UCS), over time they become associated with food
  • when the baby sees CG there is an expectation of food
  • the NS becomes a CS
  • once conditioning has taken place the sight of the caregiver produces a CR of pleasure
  • baby forms attachment with mother because she provides food
• operant conditioning

  • behaviour is learnt through consequences which include rewards & punishments
  • positive reinforcement -> something is added that strengthens a behaviour & makes it more likely to repeated
  • negative reinforcement -> something is taken away
  • punishment -> behaviour produces an unpleasant consequence so weakens the behaviour & less likely to be repeated
• operant conditioning in attachement

  • can explain why babies cry for comfort
  • crying leads to a response from CG -> for example feeding
  • -> crying is reinforced (PR)
  • this reinforcement is a 2 way process
  • -> at the same time the CG receives negative reinforcement because their baby stops crying
  • -> the unpleasant feeling of their baby in distress has been taken away
  • this interplay of mutual reinforcement strengthens the attachment
• attachment as a secondary drive

  • as well as conditioning the LT draws on the concept of drive reduction
  • hunger = primary drive -> as it is an innate, biological motivator (we are motivated to eat in oder to reduce the hunger drive)
  • Sears et al suggested that as CG provides food, the primary drive of hunger becomes generalised to them
  • attachment is thus a secondary drive learned by association between the CG & the satisfaction of a primary drive