Explanations Of Attachment✅ Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in Explanations Of Attachment✅ Deck (21)
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1
Q

Two explanations for attachment

A

Learning theory

Bowlbys theory

2
Q

Two types of conditioning

A

Operant and classical

3
Q

Operant conditioning

A

Learning by reinforcement

4
Q

Classical conditioning

A

Shows children attach to adults because they give them food

5
Q

Two types of reinforcement

A

Positive and negative

6
Q

Positive reinforcement

A

When a behaviour results in the addition of something pleasant e.g praise from doing your homework well

7
Q

Negative reinforcement

A

When a behaviour results in the subtraction of something unpleasant e.g you do your homework to avoid getting detention

8
Q

Process of classical conditioning

A

Before conditioning- the food is an unconditioned stimulus, when given to the baby it makes the baby happy this is unconditioned response
During conditioning- the mother is neutral stimulus, when she gives food (unconditioned stimulus) to the baby makes it happy (unconditioned stimulus)
After conditioning- the mother becomes conditioned stimulus as when the baby sees her automatically thinks they’ll get food so the baby is happy (conditioned response)

9
Q

Learning theory of attachment

A

Classical and operant conditioning

10
Q

Advantages of the learning theory

A

Has face validity as it makes sense that the children will attach to people who satisfy their basic needs, for example giving food

11
Q

Disadvantages of learning theory

A

Harlows monkeys contradicts as they believe that the main factor of attachment was comfort

Can be accused of being reductionist as it’s too simplistic and doesn’t account for complex human behaviour. For example, it ignores the important role of genetic and evolutionary aspects which is largely important in the formation of attachment

12
Q

What was bowlby mainly interested in

A

Caregiver- child relationship

13
Q

Bowlbys theory

A

Is quite complex, includes 8 principles but 5 are most important

14
Q

Bowlbys 5 most important principles

A
Monotropy
Critical period
Social releasers
Internal working model
Continuity hypothesis
15
Q

Monotropy

A

All children form multiple attachments but only one of them is of significant importance in emotional development

16
Q

Critical period

A

A determined period of time in which a child forms an attachment. If a child doesn’t form an attachment in this period of time it will be very difficult to form attachments. He believes after 2 and a half years there’s likely to be serious developmental issues in later life

17
Q

Social releasers

A

These are characteristics that triggers care giving these could be smiling or crying

18
Q

Internal working model

A

Primary attachment provides a child with an internal working model. It’s a mental model or template for their future relationships, it’s a template of what to expect

19
Q

Continuity hypothesis

A

The idea that there’s a link between early attachments and later emotional behaviour. If a child doesn’t form an attachment within the critical period, it’s likely to result in serious long term effects

20
Q

Advantages of bowlbys theory

A

Harlows monkeys supports, agrees there’s a internal working model as they show monkeys in isolation suffered long term effects they couldn’t form attachments when they were older
Shaver and haven- also agrees internal working model has long term effects

21
Q

Disadvantages of bowlbys theory

A

Underestimates the role of the father- focuses on mother being primary care giver but Schaffer and emersons research shows fathers can be equally important
Critical period has been criticised- czech twins have found attachments can be developed outside the critical period. Genie shows it’s difficult to form an attachment after 13 years