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4. Learning theory of attachment
Developmental Psychology- Early Social Development (January Exam)
18
Psychology
11th Grade
12/10/2012

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Term

How do Learning theorists think we form attachments?

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Definition
Learning theorists say we have to LEARN to attach and we do so because of FOOD!!!
Term
Classical Conditioning
Definition

An association is made between neutral stimulas and an innate, unconditional response. 

 

 

Term
Stimulus 
Definition
An event that causes a response.
Term
Response
Definition
An action made because a stimulus is detected
Term
Innate
Definition
Instinctive/Inborn
Term
Conditioned
Definition
Learned
Term
Unconditioned Stimulus
Definition
An aspect of the environment which produces an automatic, unlearned, innate response. For example, food produces salivation for a dog.
Term
Unconditional Response
Definition

An unlearned, reflex response to an unconditioned stimulus.

 

Example: Dilation of the pupil of the eye is an unconditioned response to the unconditioned stimulus of dim light

Term
Conditional stimulus
Definition
A previously neutral stimulus, which after becoming associated with the unconditioned stimulus, eventually comes to trigger a conditioned response.
Term
Conditioned Response
Definition

The learned response to a previously neutral stimulus.

 

E.g. to feel hungry when you hear the sound of a whistle

Term
The Process of Conditioning
Definition

1. Food UCS (unconditional stimulus)--> Baby feels pleasure= UCR (unconditional response) 

2. Mother= NS (neutral stimulus) + Food=UCS (unconditional stimulus)---> Baby feels pleasure=UCR (unconditional response)

3. Mother= CS (conditional stimulus)--> Baby feels pleasure=CR (conditional response)

 

 
Term
Classical conditioning- the written process
Definition

Baby forms an association between the mother (neutral stimulus) and the feeling of pleasure that comes with being fed (innate, unconditional response).

At first, baby is comforted by food. Each time he/she is fed, the mother is present therefore an association forms. Before long, the mother stimulates a feeling of pleasure on her own. The baby feels happier when the mother is near.

 
Term
Operant conditioning
Definition
Responses can be controlled through positive reinforcement (rewards) and negative reinforcement (punishment)
Term
What are the principles of Operant conditioning?
Definition

*Any behaviour which provides positive reinforcement will be repeated.

*Any behaviour which 'switches off' something unpleasant will be repeated.

*Behaviours which lead to an unpleasant outcome are less likely to be repeated.

Term
Operant 
Definition
An action
Term
Operant Conditioning - the written process
Definition

The mother rewards the infant by feeding him, so the infant associates the mother with the reward and repeats the action.

Food is a primary reinforcer by removing discomfort, it reinforces the behaviour that led to its arrival. But the food never comes without the mother bringing it, so the mother becomes the secondary reinforcer.

Term
Strengths of the Learning Theory
Definition

:) Provides an adequate explanation of how attachments form.

:) We do learn by association and reinforcement.

Term
Weaknesses of the Learning Theory
Definition

:( Schaffer & Emerson study suggests that the first attachment formed by 39% of babies was not to the person that carried out physical care, but with giving the baby attention. 

:( Harlow and Zimmerman's study suggested that attachments were made with the 'surrogate' mother who was made of fabric and comforted the infant monkey rather than the one who was made of wire and fed it.

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