Explanations of Attachment - Behaviourism - Psychoanalytical

The Behaviourist Approach - Learning

We are all born a blank slate…..

We learn how to behave or respond, nothing is innate.

Classical Conditioning Learning occurs through

association. Food (unconditioned

stimulus) produces a sense of pleasure (unconditioned response). The person who feeds the infant becomes associated with the response and becomes the conditioned stimulus.

Association between the individual and a sense of pleasure creates attachment.

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Little Albert (Watson 1920)

What was the UCS, UCR, CS and the CR?

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Operant Conditioning Learning occurs through reinforcement. If we are positively reinforced (rewarded) for

behaving in a certain way, we will repeat the behaviour.

We learn through the consequences of our behaviour.

An experience which is unpleasant is a punishment and should decrease the likelihood that the behaviour will be repeated.

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Supernanny

Classical or operant conditioning?

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Psychoanalytical Approach Infants are born with an innate

drive to seek pleasure – pleasure principle.

They demand immediate satisfaction and the person providing this satisfaction becomes the love object.

Attachment is therefore formed with this person.

Cupboard Love Theories

Do we only form attachments to the people who

feed us?

Activities – Pages 3-51. How did Dollard and Miller (1950)

explain attachment? 2. Complete an evaluation of the

Behaviourist and Psychoanalytical Approach.

3. Write an overview of Harlow’s (1959) study – why does it challenge the cupboard love view?

4. Copy down key terms.