Learning Theory of Attachment

Learning Theory of Attachment

A set of learned behaviours associated with attachment, emphasizing operant and classical conditioning principles.

Classical Conditioning

A learning process where an infant learns to associate the caregiver with comfort, leading to the formation of an attachment.

Operant Conditioning

A learning process where infants act to remove discomfort, leading to attachment through reinforcement.

Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS)

The infant's biological needs, such as hunger, that create discomfort.

Unconditioned Response (UCR)

The pleasure the infant feels when their needs are satisfied.

Neutral Stimulus (NS)

Initially, the mother is a neutral stimulus, as she is not innately associated with satisfying the infant's needs.

Conditioned Stimulus (CS)

The individual providing food becomes associated with pleasure and triggers the same pleasurable response.

Conditioned Response (CR)

The happiness the infant feels when they see their mother, who has become a conditioned stimulus.

Attachment

A deep and enduring emotional bond between two people, characterized by seeking closeness and feeling secure in the presence of the attachment figure.

Sensitive Responsiveness

The ability to respond accurately to a baby's signals, which is crucial for forming attachments.

Dollard and Miller's Learning Theory

A theory suggesting that attachment behaviour is learned through conditioning principles, where infants associate caregivers with comfort.

Bowlby's Attachment Theory

A theory that explains how the parent-child relationship emerges and influences subsequent development, incorporating cognitive and evolutionary elements.

Drive Reduction

The process by which satisfying hunger leads to comfort, reinforcing attachment to the caregiver.

Primary Reinforcer

Food, which satisfies hunger and creates comfort, reinforcing attachment to the caregiver.

Secondary Reinforcer

The mother, who becomes associated with food and thus reinforces attachment.

Attachment Behavior in Adults

Includes responding sensitively and appropriately to the child's needs, appearing universal across cultures.

Schaffer and Emerson's Findings

Attachments are most likely to form with those who responded accurately to the baby's signals.

Learning Theory of Attachment Development

Attachment is a learned behaviour rather than an innate biological behaviour, primarily based on the provision of food.

Emotional Bond

The connection formed between the caregiver and the infant through learned associations.

Positive Interactions

Reinforce attachment, while negative experiences may lead to avoidance.

Attachment Theory vs. Learning Theory

Attachment theory incorporates cognitive and evolutionary elements, while learning theory focuses on learned behaviours.

Importance of Caregiver Presence

Frequent absence of a caregiver, such as a father, may lead to lack of attachment.

Infant's Drive State

An internal tension or discomfort that infants seek to alleviate through attachment.

Learning through Association

The process by which infants associate caregivers with the comfort of meeting their needs.

Attachment Formation

Occurs when an infant learns to associate their caregiver with the satisfaction of their needs.

Influence of Caregiver's Role

The caregiver's responsiveness and presence significantly influence the attachment process.

Attachment Theory

Explains parent-child relationship and development influence.

Dollard and Miller

Developed learning theory integrating behaviorism and psychoanalysis.

Drive State

Internal tension motivating behavior to reduce discomfort.

Secondary Drive Hypothesis

Primary drives evolve into complex secondary drives.

Reciprocal Learning Process

Mutual reinforcement strengthens attachment between child and caregiver.

Negative Experiences

May lead to avoidance of attachment figures.

Cupboard Love Theory

Critique suggesting babies seek stimulation, not just food.

Schaffer and Emerson

Identified sensitive responsiveness as key in attachment.

Infant-Caregiver Association

Infants link caregivers with comfort and satisfaction.

Behavioral Concepts

Focus on learned habits and responses.

Psychoanalytic Concepts

Incorporate emotional and psychological factors in behavior.

Conditioning Processes

Mechanisms through which attachments are formed.

Attachment Figure

Individual providing security and comfort to the child.

Cultural Universality

Attachment behaviors are consistent across different cultures.

Bowlby's Theory

Emphasizes emotional security over food for attachments.

Learning Theory

Explains attachments through conditioning and reinforcement.

Reductionism

Simplifying complex behaviors to basic explanations.

Negative Reinforcement

Removal of hunger reinforces attachment to caregiver.

Fox's Study

Examined attachment in Israeli kibbutzim settings.

Metapelet

Trained caregivers on communal farms for infants.

Drive Reduction Theory

Infants' drives, like hunger, lead to attachment.

Pavlov's Dogs

Demonstrated classical conditioning in behavioral studies.

Empirical Findings

Scientific evidence challenging learning theory's validity.

Harlow's Monkeys

Preferred comfort over food in attachment studies.

Critical Period

Timeframe after which attachment formation is difficult.

Imprinting

Instinctive attachment to first moving object seen.

Innate Predisposition

Suggests attachment behaviors are biologically driven.

Parenting Programmes

Applications of attachment theory for improving parenting.

Responsive Individuals

Key to forming attachments, not just caregivers.

Attachment Bonds

Emotional connections between infants and caregivers.

Feeding and Attachment

Feeding alone does not explain attachment development.