Attachment Learning Theory

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Learning Theory Question: Why do pet cats show a lot of affection to their owners when they hear the sound of food being prepared?

Learning Theory Lesson Objectives: To apply the key terms of classical conditioning to attachment and understand how children can form an attachment through learning. To evaluate the learning theory using animal studies.

Learning Theory - Background Learning theories of attachment focus on the rewards provided by caregivers. Question: What type of rewards do caregivers provide their children with? Food Comfort Warmth Shelter

Classical Conditioning Task: While watching the following video, fill in the blanks on your handout, using the key words provided.

unconditioned stimulus unconditioned response Before conditioning In the video, Rover (the dog) is presented with a stimulus – a bell. When the bell is rung, there is no response in Rover. This is because dogs are not naturally wired to respond to a bell. Therefore, we call the bell a ________________________.   When Rover is introduced to the sight of food his natural response is to salivate. This is a natural/innate reaction so this stimulus is called an ________________________ and his response is called an ________________________.   neutral stimulus unconditioned stimulus unconditioned response

During conditioning If we repeatedly ring the bell immediately before presenting Rover with food, he will be ________________________ to respond to the bell. conditioned

Classical conditioning – learning through association After conditioning Now Rover will salivate upon hearing the bell even in the absence of food. This response has been conditioned. It is now a ________________________, and the bell has become a ________________________. Classical conditioning – learning through association To summarise… conditioned response conditioned stimulus

1. Before conditioning 2. Before conditioning 3. During conditioning 3. After conditioning

Classical Conditioning & Attachment Let’s imagine the following: Pavlov’s dog is now a baby The bell is now the mother The dog food is now milk

Classical Conditioning Task: In groups, cut out and arrange the pictures and key words provided to demonstrate the process of classical conditioning in attachment, using the four stages detailed below.

Unconditioned response 1. Before conditioning 2. Before conditioning Unconditioned response Happy baby – relieved from hunger Neutral stimulus No response Unconditioned stimulus 3. During conditioning 3. After conditioning Neutral stimulus Conditioned stimulus Unconditioned response Conditioned response Unconditioned stimulus

Task: Complete the diagram below to demonstrate the process of classical conditioning for attachment. Either draw pictures or write the name of what should appear in each section. Unconditioned Stimulus No response Unconditioned Response Neutral Stimulus Unconditioned Stimulus Unconditioned Response Neutral Stimulus Conditioned Stimulus Conditioned Response

Unconditioned Stimulus No response Unconditioned Response Neutral Stimulus Unconditioned Stimulus Unconditioned Response Neutral Stimulus Conditioned Stimulus Conditioned Response

Classical Conditioning & Attachment Task: Write a short summary of how children form an attachment through classical conditioning. Use your diagram to help you. Hint: Make sure that you relate your answer to the formation of an emotional tie/bond between the mother and child. Don’t just outline classical conditioning.

Harlow(1959) Question: While watching the following video, consider the following question: Do Harlow’s findings support or refute the learning theory of attachment, and why?

Harlow (1959) Task: Using the information provided on the Harlow (1959) study, write a burger paragraph evaluating the learning theory of attachment.

The Burger Technique Point   Evidence or Example Explain One issue with the learning theory of attachment comes from research by Harlow (1959). Harlow (1959) found… This matters because…

The Burger Technique Task: Swap your completed burger with your partner and assess whether your partner has written an effective evaluation point. Consider the following: Have they explained the results of Harlow (1959) so that someone who doesn’t know this study would understand the outcome? Have they explained why Harlow’s research undermines the learning theory effectively?

The Burger Technique Point   Evidence or Example Explain One issue with the learning theory of attachment comes from research by Harlow (1959). Harlow (1959) found that rhesus monkeys who were raised by two artificial surrogate mothers – one which provided food and one which provided comfort – spent most of their time cuddled to the soft cloth-covered mother, suggesting that attachments are based on contact comfort and not food. This matters because it undermines the learning theory which suggests that babies form attachments for food, whereas Harlow suggests that attachments form for comfort and not food.

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