learning theory

• There is contradicting evidence that suggests that attachments formed between an infant and their primary caregiver are not based on feeding.
• For example, Schaffer & Emmerson (1964) found that attachments were more likely to be formed to those individuals who are most responsive to the infants' signals. This finding indicates that food is not the main reinforcer of attachments as suggested by the learning theory.

  Furthermore, research suggests that the quality of attachment is associated with factors like developing reciprocity and good levels of interactional synchrony.

  This suggests that learning theory as an explanation of attachment may lack validity as it presents an oversimplified view of human behaviour.
• Learning theory does have some explanatory power, however, because infants do learn through association and reinforcement, but food may not be the main reinforcer. It could be that attention and responsiveness from the caregiver are important factors that help form attachments. This shows that even though learning theory does not provide a complete explanation for attachment, it does have some value.
• Furthermore, conflicting evidence from animal studies such as Harlow's monkey study where the baby monkey spent the majority of its time with the soft cloth mother who provided comfort than the mother offering food but no comfort suggests that attachment does not develop as a result of feeding.

  Therefore, learning theory may not provide a complete explanation for attachment, however, some elements of conditioning could still be involved.
• Learning theory may still be able to provide an adequate explanation for the formation of attachments as some elements of conditioning could be involved.

  As infants do learn through association and reinforcement, it may be that attention and responsiveness from a caregiver are important rewards that assist in the formation of attachment but food may not be the main reinforcer.

  This suggests that learning theory may still play a role in attachment.