3.4.1 Learning Theory of Attachment

• Learning Theory proposes that attachment develops through classical conditioning and operant conditioning. conditioning
• In classical conditioning, a baby associates their caregiver with food, leading to positive emotions towards them.
• In operant conditioning, caregivers are negatively reinforced when the baby stops crying
• What are the key aspects of attachment formation according to Learning Theory?

  Reinforcement and association
• One limitation of Learning Theory is that it neglects emotional factors
• Match the conditioning type with its process:

  Classical Conditioning ↔️ Association of caregiver with food

  Operant Conditioning ↔️ Reinforcement through feeding
• Steps in Classical Conditioning for Attachment

  1️⃣ Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS): Natural need like hunger

  2️⃣ Unconditioned Response (UCR): Crying to get fed

  3️⃣ Neutral Stimulus (NS): Caregiver initially has no emotional link

  4️⃣ Conditioned Stimulus (CS): Caregiver associated with food

  5️⃣ Conditioned Response (CR): Infant feels secure
• Operant conditioning explains attachment through the principles of reinforcement and punishment
• Punishment plays a significant role in attachment formation according to operant conditioning.

  False
• One strength of Learning Theory is that it uses scientific principles
• In classical conditioning for attachment, infants associate caregivers with food and comfort, leading to positive emotions.
• What type of learning is involved in classical conditioning in attachment?

  Learning through association
• In classical conditioning, the unconditioned stimulus (UCS) in attachment is a natural need like hunger
• In classical conditioning in attachment, crying is an example of an unconditioned response (UCR).
• In classical conditioning in attachment, what is a neutral stimulus (NS)?

  The caregiver initially
• In classical conditioning in attachment, the caregiver becomes associated with need satisfaction and is referred to as the conditioned stimulus
• In classical conditioning in attachment, what is the conditioned response (CR)?

  Feeling secure and positive
• Steps in classical conditioning in attachment

  1️⃣ Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS) - Natural need like hunger

  2️⃣ Unconditioned Response (UCR) - Reflexive reaction like crying

  3️⃣ Neutral Stimulus (NS) - Initially the caregiver

  4️⃣ Conditioned Stimulus (CS) - Caregiver associated with need satisfaction

  5️⃣ Conditioned Response (CR) - Infant feels secure and positive
• The caregiver is initially a neutral stimulus in classical conditioning in attachment.
• Match the key concept with its description in classical conditioning in attachment:

  UCS ↔️ Natural need (e.g., hunger)

  UCR ↔️ Reflexive reaction (e.g., crying)

  NS ↔️ Neutral entity (e.g., caregiver)

  CS ↔️ Entity associated with need satisfaction (e.g., caregiver)
• What is an example of a neutral stimulus (NS) in classical conditioning in attachment?

  The caregiver initially
• In classical conditioning in attachment, crying is an example of an unconditioned response
• What is the role of the conditioned stimulus (CS) in classical conditioning in attachment?

  Associated with need satisfaction
• The conditioned response (CR) in classical conditioning in attachment is feeling secure and positive when the caregiver is present.
• What type of learning is central to attachment formation according to the Learning Theory?

  Classical conditioning
• Steps in classical conditioning during attachment

  1️⃣ Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS): A natural need like hunger

  2️⃣ Unconditioned Response (UCR): A reflexive reaction like crying

  3️⃣ Neutral Stimulus (NS): Initially, the caregiver has no emotional link

  4️⃣ Conditioned Stimulus (CS): The caregiver becomes associated with need satisfaction

  5️⃣ Conditioned Response (CR): The infant feels secure and positive when the caregiver is present
• Match the concept with its description:

  UCS ↔️ Natural need (e.g., hunger)

  UCR ↔️ Reflexive reaction (e.g., crying)

  NS ↔️ Neutral entity (e.g., caregiver)

  CS ↔️ Entity associated with need satisfaction
• Classical conditioning in attachment involves learning through association between a stimulus and a response.
• What is the conditioned response in classical conditioning of attachment?

  Positive emotions towards caregiver
• Classical conditioning in attachment begins with a natural need like hunger
• In operant conditioning, caregivers are negatively reinforced when they alleviate a baby's discomfort.
• What type of reinforcement do babies receive when caregivers provide food or comfort?

  Positive reinforcement
• The Secondary Drive Explanation suggests infants attach to caregivers to satisfy primary drives like food
• Which primary drive is associated with attachment in the Secondary Drive Explanation?

  Hunger
• The Learning Theory of attachment is solely based on operant conditioning principles.

  False
• What is a significant strength of the Learning Theory of attachment?

  Scientific support
• The Learning Theory fails to explain why infants form stronger attachments with specific individuals