Learning Theory

• Classical conditioning (AO1)


  Classical conditioning is the process of learning through association - children learn to attach to whoever feeds them as they are associated with food (Cupboard Love)(Dollard and Miller, 1950)
• Classical conditioning process (AO1)

  UCS(Food) -> UCR(Pleasure)

  NS(Caregiver) + UCS(Food) -> UCR(Pleasure)

  CS(Caregiver) -> CR(Pleasure)
• Operant conditioning (AO1)


  The belief that behaviour is learnt through consequences.
• Operant conditioning - positive reinforcement (AO1)


  Positive reinforcement can further explain how an attachment is built up from the child’s point of view.

  • Crying leads to being fed by the caregiver, a positive response - the behaviour of crying is reinforced as it produced a positive outcome.
• Operant conditioning - negative reinforcement (AO1)


  Negative reinforcement explains how an attachment is built up from the caregivers point of view.

  • When they feed the baby, the crying is taken away - the behaviour of feeding the baby in response to crying is reinforced.
• Opposing evidence from animal studies (-AO3)

  In Lorenzs study the goslings imprinted before they were fed and maintained these attachments irrespective of who fed them - feeding was not important in attachment.

  In Harlows study monkeys attach to cloth surrogate mother as opposed to food dispensing mother - feeding is not important in attachment.
• Opposing evidence from research on humans (-AO3)

  Isabella eat al found high levels of synchrony were associated with better quality attachment - feeding was not important.

  Schaffer and Emerson found many babies developed primary attachment with mother even though other carers did feeding - feeding was not important.
• Alternative application of learning theory may explain attachment (+AO3)

  With classical conditioning, baby may associate comfort and interaction with mother, building attachment.

  With operant conditioning, baby’s crying is reinforced because mother responds with comfort and interaction, building attachment.