A set of theories from the behaviourist approach that emphasises the role of learning in the acquisition of behaviour
The theory that attachment develops through classical and/or operant conditioning is known as Cupboard Love
What is the unconditional stimulus in attachment?
Food
What is the unconditional response in attachment?
Pleasure
What is the neutral stimulus in attachment?
Caregiver
When a caregiver provides food, they become associated with food over time. When the baby sees this person, there is an immediateexpectation of food
What is the conditioned stimulus in attachment?
Caregiver
What is the conditioned response in attachment?
Pleasure (to the caregiver)
How can operant conditioning be used to explain why babies cry for comfort?
Crying leads to a response from the caregiver for example feeding. As long as the caregiver provides the correct response, crying is reinforced (positive reinforcement)
How is reinforcement a two way process?
At the same time the baby is reinforced for crying, the caregiver received negative reinforcement because the crying stops
The learning theory also draws on the concept of drivereduction
Hunger can be thought of as a primary drive
What is a primary drive?
An innate, biological motivator. We are motivated to eat to reduce the hunger drive
Sears et al. suggested that as caregivers provide food, the primary drive of hunger becomes generalised to them. Attachment is thus a secondary drive learned by an association between the caregiver and the satisfaction of a primary drive
Through prolonged association, the mother stimulates a feeling of happiness on her own even without food. This is the beginning of attachment