Learning Theory

• Dollard & Miller (1950) proposed the Learning Theory of Attachment
• The learning theory of attachment states that we only attach to those who feed us, and is formed through classical and operant conditioning
• Food is an unconditional stimulus which evokes pleasure and the carer is a neutral stimulus who becomes a conditioned stimulus through classical conditioning
• Crying is a negative reinforcer as it encourages the carer to feed the baby
• Smiling is a positive reinforcer so encourages the carer to feed the baby to evoke more reward
• Lorenz's study does not support Learning Theory as the geese imprint on the first thing they see; it does not involve food
• Harlow's study does not support Learning Theory as the monkeys value comfort over food
• Shaffer & Emerson's study does not support Learning Theory as the PCG is not the one to feed the baby every time, and stage 4 shows that multiple attachments can form - the first one may not be unique
• The two features of caregiver interaction are reciprocity and interactional synchrony
• Reciprocity is a back-and-forth exchange where each partner responds to the other's cues
• Interactional Synchrony is where the infant mirrors the actions of the caregiver
• Isabella et.al. found a positive correlation between interactional synchrony and quality of attachment
• There is evidence to support interactional synchrony e.g. Meltzoff & Moore
• Meltzoff & Moore found that when adults performed one of 6 facial expressions or gestures, babies as young as 2 weeks old copied the action