Developmental Psychology - created from Mind Map

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Learning theory

Classical

Operant

Lacks validity - studies on animals - oversimplified.

Evaluation

UCS produces UCR (before conditioning

CS produces CR (after conditioning)

Food is UCS, produces pleasure (UCR). Feeder (NS) becomes associated with food (UCS) and pleasure (CR) is associated with feeder.

Association between individual and sense of pleasure is attachment bond

Reinforcement + Punishment

Dollard & Miller (1950)

Hungry infant has drive to reduce that discomfort. Infant is fed, producing pleasure (reward). Food becomes primary reinforce. Supplier of food becomes secondary reinforce.

Attachment occurs because child seeks person who can supply the reward.

However, behaviourists believe we are no different to animals.

Strengths

Weaknessess

Provides an adequate explanation of how attachments form. We do learn through association and reinforcement but food may not be the main reinforcer.

Contact comfort is more important than food.

Human studies also challenge the importance of food for attachment

Harlow's monkeys (1959).

2 wire mothers, 1 with feeding bottle and 1 covered in cloth.

Monkeys spent most time with cloth covered mother and would cling to it when frightened.

Schaffer and Emerson (1964).

60 babies from working-class homes in Glasgow.

Infants were most attached to the person who was most responsive + interactive, not the one who fed them.