Explanations of attachment: Learning theory

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Learning theory of attachment

Proposes all behaviour learned rather than innate. When children born, 'blank slates', everything they become can be explained in terms of experiences they have.

Learning theory put forward by behaviourists who preferto focus explanations solely on behaviour. Behaviourists suggest all behaviour learned through CC or OC.

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Classical conditioning

1st investigated by Pavlov - in case of attachment, UCS food, UCR pleasure. 

Infant's early weeks + months, certain things become associate w/ food b/c present at time of deeding eg mother, chair etc - these are NS.

If any NS regularly + consistently associated w/ UCS, becomes CS + UCR become CR eg when infant sees mother, gives infant feeling of pleasure - 'mother love'.

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Operant conditioning

Dollard + Miller (1950) - explanation of attachment based on OC + drive reduction theory. 'Drive' something that motivates behaviour - when animal uncomfortable, creates drive to reduce discomfort. 

Hungry infant, drive to reduce discomfort. When infant fed, drive reduced + produces feeling of pleasure - rewarding, positive reinforcement. Behaviour -> being fed more likely to be repeated in future b/c rewarding. Food becomes primary reinforcer b/c supplies reward.

Through OC process, person who supplies food associated w/ avoiding discomfort + becomes secondary reinforce + sourve of reward in his/her own right. Attachment occurs b/c child seeks person who can supply reward.

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Social learning theory

Further development of learning theory by Bandura.

Hay + Vespo (1988) suggested modelling could used to explain attachment behaviours. Proposed children observe parents' affection behaviour, imitate. Parents also deliberately instruct children on how to behave in relationships + reward appropriate attachment behaviours eg giving kisses + hugs.

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Evaluation - Strengths

Has value - infants do learn through association + reinforcement.

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Evaluation - Weaknesses

Based on research w/ animals eg Skinner's pigeon research - may not be able to generalise to humans.

Contact comfort more important than food + learning theory suggests food key element for forming attachment - Harlow's (1959) study w/ monkeys showed contact comfort more important than food.

Drive reduction theory popular in past, but mainly ignored today + rejected as can only explain limited number of behaviours - people do some things regardless of reducing discomfort eg bungee jumping. Doesn't adequately explain how secondary reinforcers work - don't directly reduce discomfort, yet they're reinforcing.

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