learning theory - explanation of attachment

• nature - genetic and hereditary factors (physical appearance/personal characteristics)
• nurture - environmental factors (childhood experiences, social relationships, how we are raised)
• learning theory supports the nurture explanation - environmental factors influence attachment in infants
• learning theory argues we are born with 'tabula rasa' - blank slate
• learning theory states attachments are learnt behaviour
• behaviourists believe feeding plays central role in attachment development
• attachment can be learnt through 2 processes

  • classical conditioning
  • operant conditioning
• children learn to display attachment behaviours because those behaviours are reinforced/rewarded (operant) or associated with positive stimulus which is rewarded (classical)
• classical conditioning is learning through association
• classical conditioning

  A) NS

  B) associated with food

  C) UCS

  D) no pleasure

  
• in classical conditioning

  • infant is born with reflex response (UCR - naturally occuring)
  • stimulus of food (UCS) naturally produces response of pleasure (UCR)
  • person providing food (NS) becomes associated with pleasure so becomes CS
  • food giver then becomes source of pleasure (attachment formed)
• operant conditioning is learning via reinforcement
• positive reinforcement

  • when behaviour results in addition of something pleasant
• negative reinforcement

  • behaviour results in subtraction of something unpleasant
• operant conditioning explained

  • if behaviour has pleasant consequences (positive/negative reinforcement) then behaviour is likely to be repeated
  • if behaviour has unpleasant consequences (punishment) then it is less likely to be repeated
• drive reduction theory

  • idea that primary motivation behind all human behaviour is to reduce 'drives'
• primary drive - something infant needs biologically to survive e.g. food
• secondary drive - stimulus that reinforces behaviour after being associated with primary drive
• food is primary reinforcer and primary caregiver is secondary drive as they provide the food
• attachment begins when infant forgets about primary drive (food) and looks for secondary drive (primary caregiver)
• evaluation points for learning theory

  • findings based on animal studies
  • research findings
  • drive theory is no longer used
• findings based on animal studies as eval point for learning theory

  • based on animal studies - p dogs and s pigeons
  • behaviourists argue humans no different from animals relating to learning(behavioural patterns constructed in same way) - they believe animal studies explain human behaviour + how its learnt
  • however - non behaviourists argue attachment is too complex to be explained via animal studies - seen as too simple (attachment involves innate predisposition and mental activity -cant be explained via conditioning)
  • animal studies seen as oversimplified and reductionist for human behaviour
• research findings as eval point for learning theory

  • good explanatory power
  • strength of learning theory is its explanatory power
  • infants learn through association and reunforcement
  • found parental attention + responsiveness are important rewards in assisting formation of attachment - factors arent part of learning theory
  • shows although learning theory does not provide complete explanation - there is still value in how attachments are formed
• drive theory is no longer used as eval point for learning theory

  • learning theory is limited due to drive theory being outdated
  • drive theory had been popular in 1940s however later on many humans who increased discomforting behaviour rather than reduced it
  • example - some people engaged in extreme activities like bungee jumping which are known to increase discomfort
  • suggests humans arent always motivated to reduce discomfort and so therefore it leaves drive reduction theory outdated resulting in limited applicability - low temporal validity