Learning theory evaluation

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  • learning theory suggests that how an infant forms an attachment is based on who is providing us with food
  • Harlow and Harlow contradict the theory because it demonstrates that attachment is based on affection and comfort rather than just food, as monkeys spend more time with the mother who provided them with comfort
• LIMITATION

  • conducted on animals
  • Schaffer and Emerson contradict the learning theory because less than half of the infants studied had a primary attachment to the person who fed them
  • instead most were attached to the parent who was most responsive