Learning theory

• Classical conditioning def


  Learning via association. Conditioned stimulus repeatedly paired with unconditioned stimulus to produce a conditioned reponse
• How to apply classical conditioning to attachment

  Unconditioned stimulus= food

  Unconditioned response= pleasure/being full

  Neutral stimulus= mother

  -Mother+food=baby feel pleasure (unconditioned response)

  -mother now conditioned stimulus with conditioned response of pleasure

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• What is operant conditioning

  Learning via reinforcement (using consequences)
• How to apply operant conditioning to attachment for the baby

  Babies cry for comfort. When caregiver provides baby with correct reponse, crying is reinforced
• Explain the two strengths of learning theory (put lower)

  +conditioning may explain how attachment is formed with positive social interactions. Baby may feel warm and comfortable in the presence of a particular adult

  
  

  +SLT may be a better explanation because this is about imitation and modellikg behaviours eg hugging and smiling. Parents reward the kid for displaying attachment eg "that's a lovely smile". Better fits with reciprocity.
• How to apply operant conditioning to caregiver attachment to baby

  Negative reinforcement bc when the baby cries and they respond with social suppressors (eg feeding, changing nappy), the crying stops
• What is drive reduction

  Hunger is a primary drive, an innate biological motivator to eat to reduce the hunger drive.

  Attachment is a secondary drive learned by an association of caregiver and satisfaction of a primary vibe.

  
  

  Sears et al suggested that as caregivers provide food, the primary drive of hunger becomes generalised to them, (seen from the infants point of view)
• Describe 3 weaknesses of learning theory as an explanation of attachment

  -Animal studies contradict it so food not important. Lorenz geese not fed before they attached. Harlows monkey preferred sport mother rather than wire one providing food

  
  

  -human studies disagree bc Schaffer and Emerson found other factors important in attachment. Babies didn't already form attachment to those who feed them. So interaction & responsiveness more important. Isabella found strong link between level of interactional synchrony predicting quality of attachment