Topic 1 : Attachment

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Attachment - strong emotional tie that develops over time between an infant an their primary caregiver .

Maurer and Maurer (1989) suggested that attachments are 'welded in the heat of interactions'

Maccoby(1980) identified four characteristics of this emotional tie ;

seeking proximity, especially at times of stress

distress on separation

pleasure when reunited

general orientation of behaviour towards the primary caregiver

Learning Theory

View put forward by behaviourists

Principles of conditioning :

Classical Conditioning ; Dogs salivate when they feed (UR) , the food is the (US) . The stimulus and response are innately linked. If a bell is rung everytime food is appears . The bell becomes the (CS) and the salivation is the now the (CR)

Operant Conditioning ; An animal is placed in a cage where food will be delivered if it presses a lever. At first the animal presses the lever accidentally and is rewarded by receiving food. This reward increases the probability that the behaviour (lever pressing) will be repeated. The food or reward is then said to be reinforcing. If the lever press results in an electric shock, this will decrease the probability of the response being repeated. The shock acts as a punishment.

Classical Conditioning

An infant is born with reflex response. The stimulus if food produces a response of pleasure - an unconditioned stimulus and an unconditional response respectively. The person providing the food becomes associated with this pleasure , therefore becomes a conditioned stimulus. The food-giver becomes a source of pleasure irrespective of whether or not food is supplied. According to the Learning Theory, this is the basis of the attachment bond

Operant Conditioning

Dollard and Miller (1950) suggested that when hungry, the human infant feels uncomfortable and experiences a drive state. This drive motivates the baby find some way to lessen the discomfort of being hungry.

Attachment/ Learning Theory