Describe the learning theory explanation of attachment.
idea of ‘cupboard love’ – children learn to become attached to their caregiver because they give them food
attachment is a secondary drive learnt by an association between the caregiver and satisfaction of a primary drive
learning can be due to associations (classical conditioning) – outline of how this process works in attachment: association of caregiver (NS) with food (UCS) causes conditioned response of pleasure
learning can be due to patterns of positive/negative reinforcement (operant conditioning) – outline of how this process works in attachment, eg being fed when they cry
caregiver is negatively reinforced when the baby stops crying when being fed.
