Outline And Evaluate Learning Theories Of Attachment
Para 1:
1) Learning theories focus on behaviour that can be observed, rather than internal mental
processes - think born a tabula rasa. Say behaviour is LEARNED not INHERITED (main
influence is NURTURE not NATURE)
2) Behaviours learnt through OPERANT and CLASSICAL conditioning so attachment is a set of
RESPONSES that have been LEARNED. These responses are:
• SEPARATION ANXIETY / DISTRESS
• PROXIMITY
• SECURE BASE BEHAVIOUR
Para 2:
3) Classical Conditioning - learn behaviours through association.
According to CC, food (unconditioned stimulus) produces pleasure in the child.
This pleasure is known as the unconditioned response.
Mother (neutral stimulus) becomes conditioned stimulus when providing food to the baby and
eliciting pleasure.
Through association, mother becomes CS, The pleasure becomes known as conditioned
response.
An attachment forms.
Para 3:
4) Operant Conditioning - suggests behaviours are learnt through reinforcement. When a
behaviour is reinforced, likely to be repeated. Also works with negative reinforcement for the
caregiver.
A PRIMARY REINFORCER = satisfies a basic need or drive - such as FOOD satisfies hunger
A SECONDARY REINFORCER = becomes associated with the PR - MOTHER brings food
An infant is REINFORCED whenever it seeks proximity and cries for it’s mother
The reinforcement is usually food (PR) as it directly satisfies basic drive of hunger
This encourages the child to repeat the behaviour (crying) in the future as same reward. Child
continues to seek proximity and cries for its mother - she is now a SR (provider of reward)
Child has LEARNED to become attached
Para 1:
1) Learning theories focus on behaviour that can be observed, rather than internal mental
processes - think born a tabula rasa. Say behaviour is LEARNED not INHERITED (main
influence is NURTURE not NATURE)
2) Behaviours learnt through OPERANT and CLASSICAL conditioning so attachment is a set of
RESPONSES that have been LEARNED. These responses are:
• SEPARATION ANXIETY / DISTRESS
• PROXIMITY
• SECURE BASE BEHAVIOUR
Para 2:
3) Classical Conditioning - learn behaviours through association.
According to CC, food (unconditioned stimulus) produces pleasure in the child.
This pleasure is known as the unconditioned response.
Mother (neutral stimulus) becomes conditioned stimulus when providing food to the baby and
eliciting pleasure.
Through association, mother becomes CS, The pleasure becomes known as conditioned
response.
An attachment forms.
Para 3:
4) Operant Conditioning - suggests behaviours are learnt through reinforcement. When a
behaviour is reinforced, likely to be repeated. Also works with negative reinforcement for the
caregiver.
A PRIMARY REINFORCER = satisfies a basic need or drive - such as FOOD satisfies hunger
A SECONDARY REINFORCER = becomes associated with the PR - MOTHER brings food
An infant is REINFORCED whenever it seeks proximity and cries for it’s mother
The reinforcement is usually food (PR) as it directly satisfies basic drive of hunger
This encourages the child to repeat the behaviour (crying) in the future as same reward. Child
continues to seek proximity and cries for its mother - she is now a SR (provider of reward)
Child has LEARNED to become attached
