AQA A Level Psychology Attachment
(Latest 2025/ 2026 Update) Questions
and 100% Correct Verified Answers
[Grade A] – University of California,
Berkeley
State two explanations of attachment -correct answer The learning theory
(Behavioural)
Bowlbys Theory (Biological)
Sate two theories for the learning theory -correct answer Classical Conditioning and
Operant Conditioning
Briefly explain classical conditioning -correct answer Learning a behaviour through
stimulus, response and association
Briefly explain operant conditioning -correct answer Learning a behaviour through
rewards reinforcements and punishments
, AQA A Level Psychology Attachment
(Latest 2025/ 2026 Update) Questions
and 100% Correct Verified Answers
[Grade A] – University of California,
Berkeley
Explain classical conditioning linking it to attachment -correct answer Milk provided
by the mother is an unconditioned stimulus which provides an unconditioned
response in the baby of relief from hunger.
This response is automatic and does not need to be learnt. The neutral stimulus is the
feeder, and through repetition of feeding the feeder becomes the conditioned
stimulus. Therefore whenever the baby is hungry at just the sight of the feeder it will
link the CS and the UCR together and become relieved.
Explain operant conditioning linking it to attachment -correct answer When the baby
feels uncomfortable because it is hungry they experience a drive state. This drive
state motivates the baby to find a way to lessen the discomfort. In the early years the
baby can do nothing but cry and being fed leads to drive reduction as the child is
satisfied. The food is the primary reinforcer and the child learns that the food is a
reward. The person that feeds the baby becomes the secondary reinforcer and the
, AQA A Level Psychology Attachment
(Latest 2025/ 2026 Update) Questions
and 100% Correct Verified Answers
[Grade A] – University of California,
Berkeley
infant thus seeks to be near to this feeder as they are the source of reward and the
attachment is formed.
Evaluate the learning theories explanation of attachment -correct answer
Contradictory evidence from animal studies
:( - Lorenz showed how young animals imprint on carers who don't necessarily feed
them. Harlow's monkeys chose to spend contact comfort over drive reduction,
showing us that the value of insight into human attachments is limited.
Counter evidence from human studies
:( - Schaffer found that babies developed a primary attachment to their biological
mother regardless of who did most the feeding, this directly contradicts the learning
theories explanation.
Too oversimplified
, AQA A Level Psychology Attachment
(Latest 2025/ 2026 Update) Questions
and 100% Correct Verified Answers
[Grade A] – University of California,
Berkeley
:( - Learning theory ignores other factors associated with forming attachments such
as interactional synchrony and reciprocity. Furthermore studies have shown that the
best quality attachments are with sensitive and responsive caregivers who respond to
infants signals.
Outline Bowlbys Monotropic Theory -correct answer Bowlby stated that it is likely
that adults are innately programmed to become attached to their children as
attachments have short and long term benefits such as survival.
There are four main features of Bowlby's theory;
Monotropy - He suggested that the child attaches to one particular caregiver which is
the mother (not necessarily the biological one). The law of continuity is the more
consistent a child's care = better quality of attachment. The law of accumulated
separation is the separations from the mother adding up affecting the attachment.
(Latest 2025/ 2026 Update) Questions
and 100% Correct Verified Answers
[Grade A] – University of California,
Berkeley
State two explanations of attachment -correct answer The learning theory
(Behavioural)
Bowlbys Theory (Biological)
Sate two theories for the learning theory -correct answer Classical Conditioning and
Operant Conditioning
Briefly explain classical conditioning -correct answer Learning a behaviour through
stimulus, response and association
Briefly explain operant conditioning -correct answer Learning a behaviour through
rewards reinforcements and punishments
, AQA A Level Psychology Attachment
(Latest 2025/ 2026 Update) Questions
and 100% Correct Verified Answers
[Grade A] – University of California,
Berkeley
Explain classical conditioning linking it to attachment -correct answer Milk provided
by the mother is an unconditioned stimulus which provides an unconditioned
response in the baby of relief from hunger.
This response is automatic and does not need to be learnt. The neutral stimulus is the
feeder, and through repetition of feeding the feeder becomes the conditioned
stimulus. Therefore whenever the baby is hungry at just the sight of the feeder it will
link the CS and the UCR together and become relieved.
Explain operant conditioning linking it to attachment -correct answer When the baby
feels uncomfortable because it is hungry they experience a drive state. This drive
state motivates the baby to find a way to lessen the discomfort. In the early years the
baby can do nothing but cry and being fed leads to drive reduction as the child is
satisfied. The food is the primary reinforcer and the child learns that the food is a
reward. The person that feeds the baby becomes the secondary reinforcer and the
, AQA A Level Psychology Attachment
(Latest 2025/ 2026 Update) Questions
and 100% Correct Verified Answers
[Grade A] – University of California,
Berkeley
infant thus seeks to be near to this feeder as they are the source of reward and the
attachment is formed.
Evaluate the learning theories explanation of attachment -correct answer
Contradictory evidence from animal studies
:( - Lorenz showed how young animals imprint on carers who don't necessarily feed
them. Harlow's monkeys chose to spend contact comfort over drive reduction,
showing us that the value of insight into human attachments is limited.
Counter evidence from human studies
:( - Schaffer found that babies developed a primary attachment to their biological
mother regardless of who did most the feeding, this directly contradicts the learning
theories explanation.
Too oversimplified
, AQA A Level Psychology Attachment
(Latest 2025/ 2026 Update) Questions
and 100% Correct Verified Answers
[Grade A] – University of California,
Berkeley
:( - Learning theory ignores other factors associated with forming attachments such
as interactional synchrony and reciprocity. Furthermore studies have shown that the
best quality attachments are with sensitive and responsive caregivers who respond to
infants signals.
Outline Bowlbys Monotropic Theory -correct answer Bowlby stated that it is likely
that adults are innately programmed to become attached to their children as
attachments have short and long term benefits such as survival.
There are four main features of Bowlby's theory;
Monotropy - He suggested that the child attaches to one particular caregiver which is
the mother (not necessarily the biological one). The law of continuity is the more
consistent a child's care = better quality of attachment. The law of accumulated
separation is the separations from the mother adding up affecting the attachment.
