Learning theory

• Cupboard love (form attachments because caregivers provide food) = drive reduction.
• Classical Conditioning - caregiver becomes CR because they are associated pleasure of food 
• Operant Conditioning - attachment maintained as infant seeks caregiver (secondary reinforcer) to receive the award of food (primary reinforcer).
• Based on animal research - lack validity and not generalisable to humans.
• Contact comfort more important (Harlow’s Monkeys)
• Bowbly’s theory of Maternal Deprivation - explains WHY attachments form not just HOW e.g. protection from harm = enhances survival