learning theory

• the learning theory of attachment emphasises the importance of the attachment figure being the provider of food (cupboard love)
• contradictory evidence for learning theory of attachment is harlows research which showed monkeys sought comfort over food
• learning theory of attachment (dollard&miller) - food is the primary drive of attachment - classical and operant conditioning can explain attachment formations
• classical conditioning in learning theory of attachment:

  food is the Unconditioned Stimulus associated with pleasure and the carer is the Neutral Stimulus

  overtime as carer continues to feed child they become the Conditioned Stimulus (associated with pleasure) - this is how the attachment forms
• operant conditioning in learning theory of attachment:

  Child cries because they are hungry, caregiver feeds them, removing the unpleasant feeling of hunger = baby is negatively reinforced

  Caregiver finds the cries of the child unpleasant so feeds them, removing the unpleasant sound = caregiver is negatively reinforced
• Lorenz's animal studies conducted on geese contradicts the learning theory of attachment. The geese imprinted to the first object they saw regardless of food. Additionally, Harlow's monkeys favoured the surrogate mother who provided comfort rather than food. HOWEVER, these are animal studies so generalisability to humans cannot be done
• Schaffer and Emerson found that most babies formed a primary attachment to their mother, regardless if she was the one that usually fed them - opposing learning theory of attachment
• Strength - Learning theory can explain some parts of attachment in infants to a caregiver

  • Even though food may not be the main factor in attachment forming, it is clear that infants form an association with other factors (such as comfort, soothing, and nurture) with a caregiver - showing that conditioning may be partially involved in forming attachments
  • Infants may form stronger attachments to particular caregivers who offer responsiveness and attention; the infant may become conditioned to this care and therefore attachments are formed