Learning Theory

Learning Theory

1. Suggests that attachments are learnt though classical and operant conditioning

   • According to classical conditioning the infant, who had a drive to feed, associated the PCG with feelings of pleasure which come from food.
     • The PCG becomes the conditioned stimulus and the pleasure become the conditioned response.
     • In this way the infant learns to form an attachment with their PCG because of the positive feeling associated with them.
   • According to operant conditioning the PCG and infant form an attachment as they reward each other.
     • Feeding is rewarding (positive reinforcment) to the infant as it reduces their drive for food so they learn to stay close to their PCG in anticipation of food (reward)
       • To the infant, food is the primary reinforcer
     • As the PCG is associated (classical conditioning) with pleasure from food, the become the secondary reinforcer

2. Supporting research: Schaffer and Emerson

   • 60% of 60 working class Glaswegian infants formed an attachment with a parent who was their main feeder.
   • This suggests that attachments are formed based on an association between the pleasure an infant gets from food and the PCG who feeds them

3. :( Simplistic

   • Unfairly minimises complex attachment behaviour by ignoring other factors
     • Ignores how the ability to form attachments is innate
   • Harlow's research showed that monkeys will instinctively form an attachment with care-givers which closely resemble them and provide "contact comfort" over the pleasure associated with food (as learning theory states).
   • As humans and monkeys share a similar biological make up, these findings can be used to explain attachments in humans.

4. :( Constrained

   • Suggests our behaviour is limited by factors outside of our control, limiting our free will and responsibility
   • Assumes complex attachment behaviour is the result of learning
   • In this way it cannot explain why some parents choose not to form an attachment with their child
     • e.g. surrogate mothers who give the child to a couple after it is born and they have had chance to bond with it