Learning theory of attachment AO3
- Created by: Jordan64
- Created on: 15-08-17 11:53
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- Learning theory of attachment AO3
- Limitation: contradicts animal studies
- Lorenz geese maintained attachments regardless of who fed them
- Harlow's monkeys attached to soft surrogate in preference to a wire one with milk
- In both studies, attachment didn't develop as a result of feeding
- Same must be true for humans - learning theorists believe non-human animals and animals equivalent
- In both studies, attachment didn't develop as a result of feeding
- Harlow's monkeys attached to soft surrogate in preference to a wire one with milk
- Lorenz geese maintained attachments regardless of who fed them
- Limitation: human research shows feeding not important
- Schaffer and Emerson (1964): babies didn't attach to people who fed them
- Shows that feeding isn't key element to attachment - no unconditioned stim or primary drive involved
- Evidence suggests other factors more important
- Shows that feeding isn't key element to attachment - no unconditioned stim or primary drive involved
- Schaffer and Emerson (1964): babies didn't attach to people who fed them
- Limitation: learning theory ignores other factors
- Quality of attachment associated with good reciprocity and interactional synhrony
- Studies also show how the best quality attachments are those sensitive to reciprocity (Isabella et al, 1989)
- Contradicting research - response to reciprocity may be primary factor
- Studies also show how the best quality attachments are those sensitive to reciprocity (Isabella et al, 1989)
- Quality of attachment associated with good reciprocity and interactional synhrony
- Strength: some elements of conditioning could still be involved
- Learning theory suggests feeding provides unconditioned stimulus because of primary drive
- Many aspects of human development are affected by conditioning, so it seems plausible conditioning plays role in attachment
- For example, associations between the primary caregiver and provision of comfort and social interaction could be part of what builds attachment
- Many aspects of human development are affected by conditioning, so it seems plausible conditioning plays role in attachment
- Learning theory suggests feeding provides unconditioned stimulus because of primary drive
- Newer learning explanation based on social learning theory
- Hay and Vespo (1988): parents teach children to love them by modelling attachment behaviours
- In addition to rewarding them with approval when they display their own attachment behaviours
- In this version, babies have learned attachment behaviours through their own interactions - fits with research on importance of interactional synchrony and reciprocity
- In addition to rewarding them with approval when they display their own attachment behaviours
- Hay and Vespo (1988): parents teach children to love them by modelling attachment behaviours
- Limitation: contradicts animal studies
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