Attachment Learning Objectives:  Be able to define attachment.  Understand the Behaviourist explanation of attachment. Octomom interview Octomom interview 3 years later

 What is the controversy all about?  What do people think the children will be deprived of?  TASK: In small groups brainstorm the needs of a newborn.  What is the controversy all about?  What do people think the children will be deprived of?  TASK: In small groups brainstorm the needs of a newborn.

Definition of attachment Schaffer (96) a long, enduring, emotionally meaningful tie to a particular individual. It leads to clinging & proximity-seeking behaviour.  Our crucial first attachment serves as a PROTOTYPE for all later attachments. What does this mean? Schaffer (96) a long, enduring, emotionally meaningful tie to a particular individual. It leads to clinging & proximity-seeking behaviour.  Our crucial first attachment serves as a PROTOTYPE for all later attachments. What does this mean?

Theory 1: Learning Theory of Attachment Behaviourists says  All behaviour is learned (not inborn).  We are born ‘blank slates’ & everything we become is down to our experiences.  Behaviourists say learning can explain attachment through 2 processes: Classical Conditioning Operant Conditioning

Classical Conditioning

TASK: In pairs work out how classical conditioning could apply to attachment behaviour. Clue: Dog food = Milk; Bell=Mum; Dog=Baby; What would be the conditioned response? TASK: In pairs work out how classical conditioning could apply to attachment behaviour. Clue: Dog food = Milk; Bell=Mum; Dog=Baby; What would be the conditioned response?

So for attachment behaviour what is The UCS (Unconditioned stimulus)? The UCR (Unconditioned response)? The Neutral stimulus? The CS (Conditioned Stimulus)? The CR (Conditioned response) So for attachment behaviour what is The UCS (Unconditioned stimulus)? The UCR (Unconditioned response)? The Neutral stimulus? The CS (Conditioned Stimulus)? The CR (Conditioned response)

Operant Conditioning TASK: In groups share your childhood memories of things you remember being punished for & things you did that received praise/approval. Create a group list. Punished Behaviour:Approved of /rewarded behaviour:

Answer the following questions:  Did you ever do the punished behaviours again?  If so what happened?  Did the praise/approval result in you repeating the behaviour?  Which parent are you more closely attached to and why? Answer the following questions:  Did you ever do the punished behaviours again?  If so what happened?  Did the praise/approval result in you repeating the behaviour?  Which parent are you more closely attached to and why?

Operant conditioning is learning behaviour through REWARDS and PUNISHMENTS. TASK: In your group come up with 2 ideas how operant conditioning might explain attachment behaviour? You have 2.5 mins. 2 mins 30 secs - GO! Operant conditioning is learning behaviour through REWARDS and PUNISHMENTS. TASK: In your group come up with 2 ideas how operant conditioning might explain attachment behaviour? You have 2.5 mins. 2 mins 30 secs - GO!

Dollard & Miller(50) explained operant conditioning & attachment like this Any behaviour resulting in rewards (pleasant consequences) is ‘stamped in’ or REINFORCED. Hungry infant feels uncomfortable & is driven to reduce discomfort. When fed it feels pleasure (reward). The food is a PRIMARY reinforcer as it directly satisfies hunger. The caregiver is a SECONDARY reinforcer as he/she is associated with the primary reinforcer(food).  So, attachment occurs because the child seeks the person who can supply the reward (food).  This theory is sometimes called the ‘Cupboard Love Theory of Attachment’ – Why? Any behaviour resulting in rewards (pleasant consequences) is ‘stamped in’ or REINFORCED. Hungry infant feels uncomfortable & is driven to reduce discomfort. When fed it feels pleasure (reward). The food is a PRIMARY reinforcer as it directly satisfies hunger. The caregiver is a SECONDARY reinforcer as he/she is associated with the primary reinforcer(food).  So, attachment occurs because the child seeks the person who can supply the reward (food).  This theory is sometimes called the ‘Cupboard Love Theory of Attachment’ – Why?

So……. Classical Conditioning is the conditioning of REFLEXES and occurs through ASSOCIATION. Operant Conditioning is the conditioning of VOLUNTARY behaviour/emotions and involves rewards (reinforcements) and punishments.

Evaluation of Learning Theory of Attachment 1.Feeding may have nothing to do with attachment behaviour. Watch the following clip of an experiment by Harlow with a baby monkey. Harlow's monkey expt clip.Harlow's monkey expt clip. Does this study support or refute learning theory (cupboard love theory) of attachment? Explain. 1.Feeding may have nothing to do with attachment behaviour. Watch the following clip of an experiment by Harlow with a baby monkey. Harlow's monkey expt clip.Harlow's monkey expt clip. Does this study support or refute learning theory (cupboard love theory) of attachment? Explain.

Harlow’s monkey’s Expt(59) – use p.35 for extra info. TASK: Write a sentence under the following headings: Aim: Method: Results: Conclusion: 2 Criticisms of this study are: TASK: Write a sentence under the following headings: Aim: Method: Results: Conclusion: 2 Criticisms of this study are:

2.Schaffer & Emerson (64) – studied 60 babies from working class families in Glasgow for 1 year.  What did they find?  Why is this study more valid than Harlow’s?  What can we conclude from these 2 studies about ‘cupboard love theory’? 2.Schaffer & Emerson (64) – studied 60 babies from working class families in Glasgow for 1 year.  What did they find?  Why is this study more valid than Harlow’s?  What can we conclude from these 2 studies about ‘cupboard love theory’?

3. Behaviourist explanations of attachment (Classical & Operant conditioning) assume humans are no different to animals in how we learn. But this may not be a VALID assumption. What do you think? TASK: In groups list all the ways you think humans differ from animals. 3. Behaviourist explanations of attachment (Classical & Operant conditioning) assume humans are no different to animals in how we learn. But this may not be a VALID assumption. What do you think? TASK: In groups list all the ways you think humans differ from animals.

4. So Behaviourists theory of attachment may over-simplify human attachment behaviour. It is REDUCTIONIST. 5. However, a strength of the theory is it describes well the processes of learning that may be involved in the formation of attachments – association & reinforcement. But, the role of food may be incorrect or exaggerated. 4. So Behaviourists theory of attachment may over-simplify human attachment behaviour. It is REDUCTIONIST. 5. However, a strength of the theory is it describes well the processes of learning that may be involved in the formation of attachments – association & reinforcement. But, the role of food may be incorrect or exaggerated.

Plenary – Hot Seat First player please

Pavlov’s Dogs

Classical Conditioning

Conditioned Response (CR)

Operant conditioning

Primary Reinforcer

Secondary Reinforcer

Harlow (59)

Cupboard Love Theory of Attachment

Ask the person in the hot seat to give a reason why the cupboard love theory may not be VALID.

Ask the person in the hot seat to define attachment.

Exam style questions(1mark=1Min) 1. Outline the behavioural explanation of attachment (4 marks). All marks-AO1 2. Explain 2 limitations of the behavioural explanation of attachment (2+2 marks). All marks-AO1 3. Outline & evaluate one or more explanations of attachment (12 marks). 6 marks – AO1=Describe/Outline/Explain 6 marks – AO2=Evaluate 1. Outline the behavioural explanation of attachment (4 marks). All marks-AO1 2. Explain 2 limitations of the behavioural explanation of attachment (2+2 marks). All marks-AO1 3. Outline & evaluate one or more explanations of attachment (12 marks). 6 marks – AO1=Describe/Outline/Explain 6 marks – AO2=Evaluate