When the baby cries its fed, which reinforces crying for comfort (socialsuppressor behaviour)
The caregiver receives negative reinforcement as an unpleasant thing stops
Negative of learning theory (animal studies)
Lorenz geese - The geese imprinted on the first thing they saw regardless of food
Harlows monkeys - No support in importance of food, however they preferred a soft surrogate mother
More factors other than food is important
Negative of learning theory (human studies)
Schaffer and Emerson - Main attachment to mother regardless if she fed them
Positive of Learning theory
Conditioning may still be involved - Baby may associate feeling warm and comfortable with a particular adult so would influence them in choosing the main attachment figure.
