learning theory

• what is a limitation for learning theory?

  Classical and operant conditioning say babies take on a passive role by responding to comfort and reward However babies take on an active role in the interactions which produce an attachment Conditioning may not be an adequate explanation of any aspects of attachment
• what is a strength of learning theory?

  Babies may associate the feeling of being warm and comfortable with the presence of a particular adult which may influence the babies choice in of their main attachment figureLearning theory may still be useful 
• what is a limitation for learning theory-humans?

  Schaffer and Emerson found that they mainly formed an attachment with the mother regardless if she was the one to feed them. Isabella et al found high levels of interactional synchrony predict good quality attachment These factors aren’t related to food
• what is a limitation for learning theory-animals?

  Lorenz’s geese imprinted on the first moving object regardless if they had anything to do with foodHarlow’s monkeys displayed preference to cloth mother in preference to the wired who gave milkOther factors are important not just food
• attachment as a secondary drive?

  • Sears et al said as caregivers provide food so the drive of hunger becomes generalised to them
  • Attachment is a secondary drive learned through the association between the caregiver and satisfaction 
• operant conditioning ?

  • Crying leads to a response from the caregiver 
  • If they provide the correct response then that behaviour is reinforced 
  • The baby then cries for comfort 
• classical conditioning ?

  • Caregiver is the NS
  • Food is US + NS= UR (pleasure )
  • Caregiver is CS = CR (pleasure )