Who proposed the learning theory of attachment?
Dollard and Miller 1950
Learning theory principles
Classical conditioning (associate mother with food)
Operant conditioning (crying reinforces attachment)
What is drive reduction?
Hunger is the primary drive.
Generalised to the caregiver when fed.
Satisfaction of food is associated to the mother.
Secondary drive of attachment is formed
Evaluation of learning theory?
Evidence against (animal studies)
Evidence to support (Pavlov, Skinner)
Environmental determinism
Logical explanation
Reductionist
What is monotropic attachment?
A deep and enduring emotional bond. Created between the infant and caregiver, usually the mother. Reciprocal relationship. Forms an internal working model.
Seek closeness.
What is sensitive responsiveness?
The extent to which a parent is in tune with a child’s emotional state. Decodes signals and responds appropriately
When did Schaffer and Emerson do the Glasgow Baby Study?
1964
What was the glasgow baby study?
60 babies. Studied at months intervals for the first 18 months.
Observational study.
Visited in their own homes.
Diaries.
What did the Glasgow baby study look for?
Stranger anxiety, separation anxiety, social refrencing
Asocial stage
0-6 weeks
No discrimination between humans
Indiscriminate stage
6 weeks - 7 months.
No fear of strangers
Can tell people apart
Specific /discriminate stage
7-9 months.
Fear of strangers.
Display separation anxiety
Preference for a parent
Multiple attachment stage
10 months+
Interest in additional attachments e.g. grandparents
Positives of Scahffer and Emerson
Longitudinal
Ecological validity
Applications
Negatives of Schaffer and Emerson
Lacks popualtion validity
Diary entries
Social desirability
Small sample
When did Bolwby propose his theory of attachment?
1951
Features of the theory of attachment
Critical period
Social releasers
Proximity
Internal working model
Innate
Monotropy
Supporting research of bowlbys theory of attachment
Tronicks Efe Tribe
Ainsworth
Fox
Negatives of bowlbys theory of attachment
Rutter 1997
Temperament
Thomas 1998
Fox 1997
Israeli communal farms.
Form one primary attachment to the mother.
Only 3 hours a day.
Rutter 1997
All attachments contribute to the internal working model
Kagan 1984
Attachment depends on temperament
Thomas 1998
Questions monotropy.
More beneficial to have multiple attachments.
When is the critical period?
Up to 2.5 years
