learning theory

• learning theory (behaviourism)


  attachment is not innate , its learnt
• 2 process

  classical conditioning

  operant conditioning
• classical conditioning


  learning by association - learn to associate stimulus with a response

  food = sense of pleasure = mother becomes source of pleasure through association with food even if no food is present
• operant conditioning


  behaviour is associated with a consequence or reward

  baby is fed = hunger reduced = rewarding

  food is primary reinforcer and person who provides food is secondary reinforcer = infant wants to be close to care giver = attachment is formed
• evaluation - positive

  uses lab experiments - high control of extraneous variables - can infer cause and effect
• evaluation - contradictory evidence

  its not feeding that leads to attachment (Harlow's monkey study preferred cloth other wire monkey that fed them)

  therefore core idea behind theory is flawed
• evaluation - contradictory evidence

  Schaffer & Emerson - in about 40% of human infants the adult who fed the person was not the person infant was most attached to - more likely to be attached to adults who were responsive

  therefore core idea behind theory is flawed
• evaluation - negative

  theory is too simple, reduces complex human behaviour - reductionism , ignores all other explanation

  only considers the role of nurture and not nature