learning theory (behaviourism)

• what does the theory argue?

  behaviour is not innate, but is learnt as the result of classical or operant conditioning
• classical conditioning is learning by association
• operant conditioning is learning by reward
• classical conditioning linked to feeding & attachment


  -babies are born with reflexes

  -food produces pleasure

  -person providing food becomes associated with pleasure > becomes conditioned stimulus

  -mother then becomes source of pleasure independent of whether food is present

  -this is the basis of the attachment bond
• operant conditioning linked to feeding & attachment

  -rewarded behaviours are repeated

  -after feeding, hunger drive is reduced and is rewarding

  -since mother provides the food to reduce hunger drive, she becomes secondary reinforcer & infant strives to be close to her

  > becoming attached