learning theory on attachment

• what is an attachment

  is the close emotional relationship between two people, which involves a feeling of well being and a desire to be close.

  its a two-way process that endures overtime.

  it leads to certain behaviours such as clinging and proximity-seeking, and serves the function of protecting an infant.
• what is behaviourism?

  • assume all behaviour is learnt
  • two processes: classical and operant
• classical conditioning (with a baby)

  before conditioning:

  food (UCS) -> pleasure (USR)

  mother (NS) -> no response

  during conditioning:

  NS and UCS paired

  after conditioning:

  NS is now CS -> pleasure (CR)
• learning through reinforcement (operant)

  dollard + miller (1950) claimed infants feel discomfort when hungry and therefore want food to get rid of their discomfort. infants find that if they cry, their mother will come and feed them - therefore discomfort is removed.

  this is called negative reinforcement. the infant associates the mother with food and the infant therefore wants to be close to the mother, to keep food close. this produces attachment behaviour (i.e. distress when separated)
• social learning theory

  is a further development of learning theory by bandura. dale hay + jo vespo (1988) suggested that modelling could be used to explain attachment behaviours. they proposed that children observe their parents' affectionate behaviour and imitate this.

  parents would also deliberately instruct their children about how to behave in relationships and reward appropriate attachment behaviours such as giving kisses and hugs
• cupboard love theory - classical and operant

  suggests that the infant becomes attached because he/she is fed, and that infant becomes attached to the person who feeds them