Note from 2015 exam: AO2 Bowlby’s
theory of attachment (/6)
Attachment
“Explanations of attachment:
learning theory”
Attachment:
AO1
Describe the Behavioural theory of attachment
AO2
Apply classical conditioning procedures to novel
scenarios
AO3
Evaluate the behavioural theory of attachment by
considering research from Harlow etc.
Homework:
We will be studying 2 explanations of why
infants attach:
1. Learning Theory
(Dollard & Miller)
2. Evolutionary Theory
(Bowlby)
The Learning Theory
Classical Conditioning
(through association)
Operant Conditioning
(through consequences)
Learning Theory
Attachment is a set of learned behaviors (i.e. results from
experience of the environment, not innate processes)
This theory suggests we learn to attach due to the rewards
that it provides us with. Therefore attachment is not innate.
Classical conditioning:
Learning through association
Pavlov? Ring a bell?
Unconditioned stimulus
Neutral stimulus
Unconditioned Response
(Pleasure)
Neutral Stimulus
No Conditioned Response
Unconditioned stimulus +
Neutral stimulus
Unconditioned Response
(Pleasure)
Unconditioned stimulus
Neutral stimulus
Unconditioned Response
(Pleasure)
Neutral Stimulus
No Conditioned Response
Unconditioned stimulus +
Neutral stimulus
Unconditioned Response
(Pleasure)
Classical conditioning:
Before conditioning
Neutral Stimulus
No Conditioned Response
Classical conditioning:
Before conditioning
Unconditioned
Stimulus
Conditioned Response
(Pleasure)
Classical conditioning:
Unconditioned
stimulus
Neutral stimulus
Unconditioned Response
(Pleasure)
Classical conditioning:
During conditioning
Unconditioned stimulus
+
Neutral stimulus
And if this is
repeated numerous
times, a conditioned
response is formed
So that now in the absence of the food, the
pleasure response is elicited when the
mother is present…
Unconditioned Response
(Pleasure)
Classical conditioning:
after conditioning
Conditioned
Stimulus
Conditioned Response
(Pleasure)
Does classical conditioning explain
why the PRIMARY CAREGIVER also
becomes attached?
No.
Operant conditioning does though..
Operant conditioning
Attachment through consequences
If a behaviour is reinforced it is more likely to be repeated.
Operant conditioning
• +ive consequences reinforce behaviours
• When child feels hungry & is fed, food gives a feeling of pleasure
(primary re-enforcer)
• Person who supplies food associated with avoiding discomfort and
becomes secondary re-enforcer (& source of pleasure in own right)
• Attachment occurs because child seeks person who can supply
reward
Attachment behaviour
is rewarded so they
continue doing it/do
more of it!
Operant conditioning
• Infant learns that crying, smiling brings positive
response from adults (positive reinforcement)
• Adult learns that responding to cries etc. brings
relief from noise (negative reinforcement)
THINK, PAIR, SHARE
How does operant conditioning explain why
the PCG (primary care giver) becomes
attached?
Whiteboards!
What psychological approach
was responsible for the
learning theory?
The behaviourist approach
Whiteboards!
According to the Learning Theory,
what are the two main ways in which
attachment can be formed?
Classical conditioning – through association
Operant conditioning – through consequences
Whiteboards!
What is classical conditioning?
Involves learning to associate two stimuli
together so that we begin to respond to one in
the same way we already respond to the
other.
Whiteboards!
What is operant conditioning?
The Learning Theory predicts that:
• The child will form attachments on the basis of
primary care provision (feeding etc.)
• Attachment behavior should increase steadily from
birth
• The strongest attachments will be with those who
provide the most primary care.
Harlow
How does this
experiment support/not
support the Learning
Theory?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=_O60TYAIgC4
Harlow
• Baby monkeys did not become
attached to milk-feeding wire
mother monkey
• Became attached to cloth wire
covered monkey (that didn’t feed
them) & sought comfort from it
when frightened
• Suggests softness, warmth,
comfort leads to attachment
Evaluation (AO2)
These are some summaries of important research findings into attachment. This evidence can be used
to evaluate the explanations of attachment and to help us decide what explanation is closest to the
truth. Read each research finding and then make notes in answer to the following questions:


Does it support the learning theory of attachment? Why/why not?
Are there any problems with the research that limit its usefulness?
In the 50s and 60s, Harlow conducted a number of
studies in which infant rhesus monkeys were separated
from their mothers and placed in isolation. In their
cages were two artificial ‘mothers’, a wire one that
dispensed milk and a soft cloth one that did not. The
monkeys spent much of their time clinging to the ‘cloth
mother’ and would run to it if startled.
Complete
Evaluation
Worksheet
10 mins
Shaffer and Emerson (1964) conducted a large scale
observational study of attachment in human infants.
They found that infants formed attachments with the
adults who were most responsive to them and who
provided the most stimulation. In many cases this was
not the person who fed and cleaned or spent most time
with the child. In many cases, the children formed
multiple attachments to the people around them.
Fox (1977) studied children being raised in an Israeli
Kibbutz, where children are reared communally. From an
early age, children lived in a children’s house where they
were cared for by a nurse who took care of their daily
needs, fed them and so on. They spent only an hour or so
each evening with their parents. The children were
strongly attached to their parents and showed only
relatively weak attachments to the nurses.
Hazan and Shaver (1987) surveyed a large number of
respondents to a newspaper advert about their romantic
relationships and their childhood memories. They found
that their romantic relationships tended to echo their
memories of their early relationships with their parents.
When they remembered their mothers being sensitive
and responsive they tended to report secure and happy
romantic relationships. Those who had more negative
memories of early attachment were more likely to report
either being clingy or being distant.
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Evaluation of The Learning Theory
Limitations:
• SCHAFFER & EMERSON (1964)
• HARLOW (1958)
• Original Learning Theory uses food to
develop the attachment.
Strengths
• This is a common-sense
explanation of
attachment, which was
assumed to be true for
many years.
• Evidence suggests that
emotional responses can
be acquired through
conditioning
GAME
Instructions:
Each group will get an envelope. Inside this envelope is a question. Your task is
to answer this question with your group, and bring the answer to me. Once you
give me the answer and I have checked it, I will give you the next question.
Inside each envelope is a letter. Once you’ve collected all envelopes (and
letters), you should be able to make a word, name or place. You need to, with
the rest of your group (and with the help of your books/textbooks) tell me what
that word, name or place refers to.
Group 1
Group 2
SEMINAR
Read the essay.
Give the essay a mark out of 8
SUCCESS CRITERIA FOR LEARNING
THEORY ESSAY
AO1
• Learning theory suggests attachment develops through
classical and operant conditioning.
• According to classical conditioning food (UCS) produces
pleasure (UCR).
• The mother is associated with the pleasure and becomes a
conditioned stimulus.
• According to operant conditioning food satisfies the infant’s
hunger and makes it feel comfortable again (drive reduction).
• Food is therefore a primary reinforcer. The mother is associated
with food and becomes a secondary reinforcer.
• The infant becomes attached to the mother because she is a
source of reward.
• Candidates may refer to classical conditioning, operant
conditioning or both.
• The explanation must be directly linked to attachment.
Unrelated descriptions of classical or operant conditioning are
not credit-worthy.
AO3
• Evaluation of learning theory could include reference to
research studies such as Schaffer and Emerson who found that
less than half of infants had a primary attachment to the person
who usually fed them.
• Responsiveness seemed to be the key to attachment.
• Harlow’s research suggesting the importance of contact comfort
rather than food could also be made relevant.
• Alternative explanations, such as Bowlby’s evolutionary theory,
could gain credit as long as they are used as evaluation and not
simply described.
• Commentary on implications could be credit-worthy.
Level
Marks
Description
4
7–8
3
5–6
2
3–4
1
1–2
Knowledge of Dollard & Miller’s learning theory of
attachment is accurate and generally well detailed.
Evaluation is effective. The answer is clear, coherent
and focused on formation of attachment. Specialist
terminology is used effectively. Minor detail and / or
expansion of argument sometimes lacking.
Knowledge of Dollard & Miller’s learning theory of
attachment is evident. There are occasional
inaccuracies. There is some effective evaluation. The
answer is mostly clear and organised, with focus on
formation of attachment. Specialist terminology
mostly used effectively.
Knowledge of Dollard & Miller’s learning theory of
attachment is present. Focus is mainly on
description. Any evaluation is of limited
effectiveness. The answer lacks clarity, accuracy,
organisation and focus in places. Specialist
terminology used inappropriately on occasions.
Knowledge of Dollard & Miller’s learning theory of
attachment is limited. Evaluation is limited, poorly
focused or absent. The answer as a whole lacks
clarity, has many inaccuracies and is poorly
organised. Specialist terminology, either absent or
inappropriately used.
No relevant content.
0
SEMINAR
1. Read the essay again
2. Highlight AO1 and AO3 points
3. Turn this into a plan in the
AO1/AO3 PEELs.
Describe and evaluate the Learning Theory of
Attachment (8 marks)
AO1
AO3
Theories of Attachment
Theories of Attachment
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Which of these two theories do youdisrupting
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it can convincing?
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Which of these two theories do you find most convincing? Why?
Which of these two theories do you find most convincing? Why?
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Make sure you’re ready for next lesson. You’ll be writing the 8 mark essay
without your plan.
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