Learning Theory Of Attachment

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What Is Attachment?

Attachment is an emotional relationship that endures for a long time between two people. It leads to certain behaviors like clinging and proximity-seeking.

Learning Theory Of Attachment

The learning theory of attachment proposes that attachment is learnt through classical and operant conditioning.

Classical Conditioning - Infant gains pleasure through being fed. The FOOD is the UNCONDITIONED STIMULUS and PLEASURE is the UNCONDITIONED RESPONSE.

When being fed, infants ASSOCIATES the food with the CAREGIVER. As the CAREGIVER = NATURAL STIMULUS.

Eventually, when attachment has been learnt, the infant gains PLEASURE when the CAREGIVER is PRESENT. So now, the CAREGIVER = CONDITIONED STIMULUS so PLEASURE = CONDITIONED RESPONSE.

Operant Conditioning

(Dollard and Miller 1950) claimed that attachment is learned through reinforcement.

Learning accord when we are rewarded for doing something like money or praise. Every time you do something that results in a reward, it is more likely that you would do it again where as if you do something that results in unpleasant reinforcement, it is less likely you would do it again.

(Dollard and Miller 1950) explained that If an infant is hungry, then it is in an uncomfortable state and whatever it does to become comfortable (e.g crying (social releases)). So when the infant is fed, the drive is reduced which results with the infant feeling pleasure. The caregiver is associated with avoiding discomfort and a source of reward for the infant as they are the one who gave the infant food which reduced the discomfort.