the learning theory of attachment

• Classical conditioning example


  • Friend drinks martinis and eats pepperoni pizza, then gets sick and refuses to eat pepperoni pizza again
• Unconditioned response


  Pleasure and relief from hunger
• Unconditioned response is automatic and innate
• Caregiver


  Source of pleasure and relief for babies
• Operant conditioning - Skinner's rats

  1. Rat in Skinner box

  2. Accidentally knocks lever

  3. Food pellet drops

  4. Rat learns to press lever for food
• Operant conditioning - Skinner's rats (negative reinforcement)


  1. Rat in Skinner box

  2. Subjected to electric current

  3. Accidentally knocks lever

  4. Electric current switched off

  5. Rat learns to press lever to escape current
• Positive reinforcement


  Behaviours that produce a reward will be repeated
• Negative reinforcement


  Behaviours that lead to anything unpleasant being avoided are also likely to be repeated
• Operant conditioning and attachment

  1. Baby cries

  2. Caregiver consoles by feeding and cuddling

  3. Baby stops crying

  4. Caregiver's behaviours are negatively reinforced
• Crying behaviour is positively reinforced for the baby as it produces a reward (getting fed)