Learning Theory Attachment

Objectives AS homework – folder check next Wednesday Memory mini mock feedback

Starter… Why do your pets show a lot of affection to you when you are about to give them food?

Learning theory Focus on rewards provided by the caregiver What type of rewards do caregivers provide their children with?

Recap: answer the following 1. The behavioural approach says all behaviour is ____________? 2. The behavioural approach includes classical conditioning and what other type of conditioning? 3. What did they do to Little Albert? 4. Name all of the classical conditioning concepts e.g. unconditioned stimulus 5. What is positive reinforcement? 6. What is negative reinforcement?

1. learnt 2. operant conditioning 3. Classical conditioned him into being scared of a white rat 4. Unconditioned stimulus, Neutral stimulus, Unconditioned response, Conditioned stimulus, Conditioned response 5. When the consequences of your actions are pleasant, so you repeat the behaviour to again get the positive reinforcer e.g. praise, money. 6. Negative reinforcement- when you repeat a behaviour not because you are receiving a reward or something pleasant but are removing something unpleasant for example you take paracetamol to get rid of your headache which is unpleasant.

Task: Create a comic strip showing the processes of classical conditioning. You must include the following words: Unconditioned stimulus Neutral stimulus Unconditioned response Conditioned stimulus Conditioned response

Now… apply classical conditioning to attachment Now… apply classical conditioning to attachment. What is the UCS, UCR, NS, CS, CR? Sara gives birth to a baby girl and initially the baby is happy to be picked up by anybody at all and her reaction is the same if she is picked up by Sara or a total stranger. When the baby is fed she seems very happy and content and will stop crying or moaning. Sara is breastfeeding her baby and she notices that after a couple of weeks the baby starts to show signs of happiness and will stop crying immediately if Sara goes to pick her up without her offering food.

Only use this template if you need a bit of help!

Capture: classical conditioning and attachment Write a short summary of how children form an attachment through classical conditioning. You may draw a diagram to help explain the process 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.

Answer the following questions on learning theory and attachment Capture task Answer the following questions on learning theory and attachment

2. Based on other research- Why might Cheska’s mum not need to be worried?

Yes she should be worried! Cheska’s mother is concerned that she will get more attached to her nanny because she usually feeds her. Based solely on your understanding of learning theory should she be worried? Yes she should be worried! According to learning theory and classical conditioning attachment is learnt by association. Food is an unconditioned stimulus that will naturally makes Cheska feel happy and contented (UCR). Initially the nanny and mother will both be the neutral stimulus as she will be as easily comforted by both It is the person who feeds Cheska, the theory says, that will move from being a neutral stimulus to a conditioned stimulus with time and if this is the nanny then Cheska will associate her with the food and the unconditioned response will be attachment being formed to the nanny and NOT the mother.

How does operant conditioning explain attachment

You could also mention operant conditioning According to operant conditioning the attachment will be formed by a primary reinforcer (food) being paired with whoever feeds her and then over time they will become a secondary reinforcer and will be reinforcing alone. So this will be the nanny and attachments will be formed with her. Baby is hungry and uncomfortable Baby cries Caregiver find the babys crying distressing Caregiver picks up the baby and gives it food Baby feels happy and comfortable Baby learns that crying results in food and comfort Process repeated

You could also mention operant conditioning According to operant conditioning the attachment will be formed by a primary reinforcer (food) being paired with whoever feeds her and then over time they will become a secondary reinforcer and will be reinforcing alone. So this will be the nanny and attachments will be formed with her.

Actually she shouldn’t really worry because -counter evidence- animal studies-young animals don’t attach to who feeds it. Harlow’s monkeys preferred comfort monkey over wire food monkey every time so shows not about food but comfort and as her mother is doing the cuddling and playing and nanny only practical care she will be the more sensitive and so should form attachments with the mother. Schaffer-more than 50% of infants not attached to person that fed them but biological mother with no unconditioned stimulus present so shows it is possible for the mother to be the key attachment figure with sensitive responding ignores important concepts such as reciprocity and interactional synchrony. Research shows these lead to attachment so if it was just about food there would be no need for such complex interactions. The mother will be playing with her and so lots more chance for reciprocity and interactional synchrony than the nanny who is just feeding and changing so should still be the mother she attaches to. She needs to make sure she responds to Cheska and mirrors her as much as possible to improve attachment (i.e R and IS)

Evaluation point Learning theory vs. animal studies What has animal studies such as Harlow taught us about attachment? Is this in contrast to the learning approach? write a PEE paragraph evaluating the learning theory of attachment.

Point One issue with the learning theory of attachment comes from research by Harlow (1959). Evidence/example 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. Elaborate/explain 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.

Possible answers to Learning theory evaluation Essay title Outline and Evaluate the explanation of attachment according to learning theory (6 + 10 marks)

However, critics might argue that… A linking phrase can be as simple as: However, critics might argue that… 2) Attachment behaviours such as gazing, cooing, smiling and crying have evolved which make an attachment more likely. Additionally, some physical characteristics of a baby which appeal to adults, such as big eyes, make a bond more likely. 3) These studies clearly show that food is of less importance when forming bonds from infants to parents, which is considered the single most important factor for attachment in learning theory.

4) These infants had remained bonded to their biological mothers, who were not their primary caregivers. This rejects the concept that food is the primary driver for attachment as predicted by the learning theory. 5) This shows that although it is logical to suggest that a baby needs food to survive, it bonds to adults primarily for emotional needs, contradicting learning theory. 6) Some conditioned full scientists Bowlby

Learning theory plenary

Answer your question on the MWB 1. Draw the classical conditioning diagram for attachment. 2. Draw the operant conditioning flow diagram for attachment 3. Learning theory is reductionist-what exactly does that mean? 4. Explain how animal research contradicts learning theory. 5.Explain how Schaffer’s research contradicts learning theory. 6. What other factors does learning theory ignore when explaining attachment?