Explanations of attachment Learning Theory – Explanations which explain behaviour in terms of learning rather than any inborn tendencies. Evolutionary Theory- behaviour has adapted through evolution so that advantageous physical or behavioural characteristics are more likely to survive.

Learning Theory Learning theory very popular in psychology in early 20 th Century. Learning theory proposes that all behaviour is leant and we are born as a ‘blank slate’ Learning theorists suggest that all learning including attachment is learnt through either operant or classical conditioning.

Classical Conditioning Involves learning through association Pavlov conducting research into salivation reflex in dogs' found they begun salivating before saw food at sound of door opening. Attachment - Classical conditioning Infant learns to associate feeding/comfort with primary carer/mother Infant learns to associate feeding/comfort with primary carer/mother Mother acquires comforting properties by association Mother acquires comforting properties by association

Learning Theory Learning occurs when we are rewarded for doing something, making it a pleasurable experience and therefore more likely to repeat it.. Behaviour is reinforced. Operant conditioning Infant learns that crying, smiling brings positive response from adults (reinforcement) Infant learns that crying, smiling brings positive response from adults (reinforcement) Adult learns that responding to cries etc. brings relief from noise (negative reinforcement) Adult learns that responding to cries etc. brings relief from noise (negative reinforcement)

Dollard and Miller (1949) Attachment through operant conditioning Based on motivation – what drives behaviour Primary drives of hunger and thirst, person will be “driven” to seek food, Obtaining food results in drive reduction, rewarding so likely to be repeated, association with caregiver becomes source of reward in itself. Mothers also become attached in same way reward is smile etc.

Learning Theory Main predictions: The child will form attachments on the basis of primary care provision (feeding etc.) The child will form attachments on the basis of primary care provision (feeding etc.) Attachment behaviour should increase steadily from birth Attachment behaviour should increase steadily from birth The strongest attachments will be with those who provide the most primary care The strongest attachments will be with those who provide the most primary care

Evaluation of Learning Theory- strengths It can provide an adequate explanation of how attachments form. We do learn through association and reinforcement. But Generally criticised for being over simplistic – ideas are too simple to explain complex human behaviour.

Criticisms of Learning Theory Main weakness is the role of food in attachment. Infants become attached to people who aren’t involved in caring and feeding them (Schaffer and Emerson 1964) Harlow's Monkeys (1959)

Evolutionary Theory Bowlby (1953)- Maternal Deprivation Hypothesis in which he suggested that children should receive a warm and continuous relationship with a mother or mother figure. Proposed that children that didn’t receive this would suffer lasting damage. Also explained how attachment forms. Bowlbys theory is evolutionary because in his view attachment is a behavioural system that has evolved because of its survival value.

Bowlby’s Attachment Theory main points:- Innate Sensitive period Adaptive Social releasers A secure base Monotropy and hierarchy Internal working model

Innate Attachment is biologically pre-programmed into children at birth Encoded in the human genes - Innate drive to become attached to a caregiver because attachment has similar benefits to imprinting. Encoded in the human genes - Innate drive to become attached to a caregiver because attachment has similar benefits to imprinting. Evolves and persists because of its adaptiveness (i.e. it is evolutionarily useful) Evolves and persists because of its adaptiveness (i.e. it is evolutionarily useful)

Ethology Lornez –geese Imprinting – Tendency of young to follow first moving object they see. Imprinting – Tendency of young to follow first moving object they see.

Imprinting Characteristics Sensitive /Critical period – if the infant is not exposed to the “mother” in a critical time it will not happen. Irreversible Lasting consequences – template for future reproduction.

Social releasers Infants emit social releasers, to which adults are biologically attuned Physical appearance Physical appearance Crying, smiling etc. Crying, smiling etc. These stimulate caregiving from adults

A secure base/ Monotropy A secure base- attachment is important for protection and thus acts as a secure base from which the child can explore the world safely. Monotropy- Bowlby believe that infants had a special attachment figure the primary attachment this is called monotropy Hierarchy – infants have other secondary attachment figures that form a hierarchy of attachments.

Internal Working Model/ continuity hypothesis The child learns from the relationship with the primary caregiver and this relationship acts as a template for future relationships. Bowlby called this an internal working model (cognitive schema) Continuity Hypothesis – Link between early attachment relationships and later emotional development.

Evolutionary Theory Main hypotheses: Attachments will form with those who respond to child’s signals Attachments will form with those who respond to child’s signals Attachment will correlate with other aspects of (biological) development Attachment will correlate with other aspects of (biological) development There will be a special attachment figure that is more important than others There will be a special attachment figure that is more important than others Disruption of attachments will have developmental consequences Disruption of attachments will have developmental consequences

Innate Social Releasers If baby didn’t have these caregivers could easily ignore baby Doesn’t explain why infants become attached to certain people and not others. Attachment forms because infants and caregivers interact.

Monotropy Bowlby – infants have a hierarchy of attachments with mother at the top. Shaffer and Emerson – stage theory one person first and then others. Fox (1977) children on a kibbutz cared for by nurse but most strongly attached to mother.

Importance of responsiveness Harlow – monkeys more attached to cloth mother Schaffer and Emerson – infants not attached to person that fed them Ainsworth – care giving hypothesis sensitivity of caregiver important

Critical Period Lorenz – followed first moving object on hatching. Klaus and Kennell- early contact between infant and mother is of great importance sensitive period immediately after birth where skin to skin contact is important. Durkin

Internal working model Hazen and Shaver “love quiz” found a consistent relationship between attachment type and adult style of love links attachment type to later relationships. Main and Weston – similarities between among a Childs various relationships are quite low. Kagan –temperament hypothesis some children are born trusting and friendly which reflects in later relationships.

Universality Tronick et al.- Efe tribe in Zaire children looked after and breastfed by others but primary attachment figure is still mother. Supports attachment and care giving is universal and not culturally bound.

But………. We cannot know that natural selection exists we are only looking back and assuming that behaviour must be adaptive because it exists However…. Bowlby’s Theory still has had a profound influence on many aspects of everyday life –parenting programmes and dealing with separation.