AO3

• Learning Theory: Evaluation Points

  • Only explains some elements of attachment
  • Based on animal studies
  • Schaffer & Emerson: not based on food
  • Useful findings
• Learning Theory: Explains only some elements


  The learning theory suggests that infants only form attachments for food, however it does not consider other motives. Food is not necessarily the main reinforcer. Comfort and attention from caregivers can be considered to be more rewarding. This means that the learning theory is an incomplete explanation for the motives of forming an attachment.
• Learning Theory: Based on Animal Studies

  Research that supports the learning theory, such as Skinner, is based on animal studies. Such research has complications and difficulty generalising form animals to humans as it may oversimplify human behaviour. It is also criticised as not all behaviour, such as attachment, can be explained through conditioning as attachment involves an innate predisposition which cannot be explained by the learning theory.
• Learning Theory: Schaffer & Emerson Research


  Schaffer and Emersons research produced findings which suggests that attachment is not based on the provision of food and is not always with the person who provides the food. In their study, 39% of first attachments formed were not with the person who provides food. This suggests that infants are more likely to attach to people who provide comfort or play. This is supported by Harlow who found that monkeys preferred the comfort mother to the food mother. This contradicts the learning theory and Dollard & Miller's supporting research.