AO1 Attachment + Learning Theory

Cards (15)

  • What is the learning theory?
    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 immediate expectation 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 drive reduction
  • 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