Learning theory

• Learning theory AO1

  • Behaviourist approach to explaining attachment formation
  • Attachments formed through classical and operant conditioning
  • Stresses the importance of food in forming attachments, says this is a key aspect to how they are formed between caregivers and infants
  • Classical C - infant associates mother with food after conditioning (mum=ns —> cs)
  • Operant C - infant receives positive reinforcement (gains food by crying), mother receives negative reinforcement (removes crying by giving food)
• Learning theory AO3 (Strengths)

  
  

  Conditioning plays a role in attachment formation

  • food may not always have a central role
  • babys may associate someone with warmth and comfort through conditioning

  Clear and testable explanation of attachment
• Learning theory AO3 (Weaknesses)

  Lack of support from animal studies

  • Lorenz- imprinted on first moving object
  • Harlow- preferred comfort mother over one with food

  Lack of support from human studies

  • Schaffer&Emerson- attached to mother anyway
  • Isabella et al- interactional synchrony plays a role

  Displays baby with a passive role

  • Feldman&Eidelemen- show they have active role