Learning theory

• how do babies learn through classical conditioning


  • the caregiver starts as a neutral stimulus
  • when the caregiver gives the baby food it learns to associate food with the caregiver.
  • the mother becomes the conditioned stimulus and provides a conditioned response
• how do babies learn through operant conditioning


  • babies cry for comfort
  • will get a response of being fed
  • the baby learns that by crying they will get the reward of food
• how is operant conditioning a two way process

  • the caregiver receives negative reinforcement
  • because the crying stops when the baby is given food
• what is drive reduction

  • hunger is thought of as a primary drive and we eat to satisfy that innate feeling.
  • attachment is a secondary drive learn by association of the caregiver and food
• Contradicting evidence from Harlows research


  • Harlow found that monkeys preferred to be with the wire model that provided them comfort rather than food.
  • this contradicts the learning theory of cupboard love
• learning theory ignores other factors associated with attachment

  • it ignores reciprocity and interactional synchrony.
  • Isabella found that babies who had better interactional synchrony formed better attachment
  • has nothing to do with food
• contradicting evidence from human research

  • Schaffer and Emerson found in their study of stages of attachment
  • most of the babies formed a primary attachment with the mother even when it was other carers that fed them
  • showing that cupboard love theory is wrong