Attachment - Learning theory

Attachment - Learning theory

1. Proposes that all behaviour is learned rather than inborn

   • When children born - blank slates = everything they become can be explained in terms of the experiences they have

2. Learning theory is put forward by behaviourists who prefer to focus their explanations solely on behviour

   • What people do rather than what may or may not be going on in their minds
   • Behaviourists suggest that all behaviour (including attachments) is learned either through classical / operant conditioning

3. Classical conditioning

   • Learning through association
   • Ivan Pavlov
     • Salivation reflex in dogs
     • Recorded how much they started salivating before they were fed
     • Dogs salivated as soon as they heard the door open, signalling the arrival of food
     • The dog had come to associate door w/ food
     • Learned a new stimulus response (S - R)
     • Learned to salivate (response) when the door opened (stimulus)
     • Before conditioning
       • Unconditioned stimulus (UCS) produces unconditioned reflex (UCR)
       • Food (UCS) makes dog salivate (UCR)
     • During conditioning
       • Food & door opening occur together a no of time
     • After conditioning
       • Conditioned stimulus (CS) produces a conditioned response (CR)
       • Door opening (CS) makes the dog salivate (now a CR)