Recap

Role of father
Animal Studies
Then to explanations
 Last week’s assignment
1. Use the handout given yesterday to bullet point onto the
table given -the A03 points of the role of the father -bring to
class next Monday

2. Using the notes given complete ?1 on page 15 & ? 4 on

page 16 (Be prepared for me to take these in - bring to class
next Monday )

3. Go through the presentation on animal studies & write out

the extra notes - you will be getting exam questions but just
not in this weeks assignment.
Exam Questions
Animal Studies
1. Which of the following statements best describes
imprinting?

A. An innate tendency to develop a strong bond,

during the critical period.
B. An ability to attach to the first moving object an
infant sees.
C. A critical window of time when attachments form
D. A critical window of time in which infants learn to
attach.

A
Page 22

1. Researcher A found that young animals seemed to attach for comfort rather than for
food.

Researcher B found that mobile newborn animals would follow the first large moving
object that they saw.

(a) Give the name of Researcher A and state the type of animal studied by this
researcher.
(2)

(b) Give the name of Researcher B and state the type of animal studied by
this researcher.
(2)
 [AO1 = 2]

1 mark – Harlow
1 mark – (rhesus) monkeys
(b) [AO1 = 2]
1 mark – Lorenz
1 mark – geese/goslings
Page 22

Briefly outline the findings of one animal study of

attachment and explain one criticism of the study. 4
marks
 Outline - possible content:
•   Harlow – attachment to cloth mother rather than wire mother or
findings of any later variations 22/24 hours
•   Lorenz – greylag geese imprinted on the first moving thing they
saw.
Credit relevant findings from other appropriate studies.

Criticism – possible content:The criticism must match the study

outlined.
Problems of extrapolation to attachment in human infants –
what applies to non-human species may not also apply to
human infants
•   difference in nature and complexity of the bond
•   ethical issues of separation from mother and emotional
harm
•   imprinting can be reversed.
Credit other relevant positive or negative criticisms.
 Leve Mark Description
l

[AO1 = 2 AO3 = 2]
2 3-4 Outline of the findings of one animal study of attachment is
clear and has some detail.
A criticism relevant to the chosen study is clear.
The answer is generally coherent with effective use of
terminology.

1 1-2 Outline of the findings of one animal study of attachment

lacks clarity and / or detail.
The criticism is limited.
The answer as a whole is not clearly expressed.
Terminology is either absent or inappropriately used. Only
outline or criticism max 2 marks.

0 No relevant content.
Theories of Attachment

Learning Theory - APPLIED TO

ATTACHMENT
 SPEC
Learning theory Evolutionary theory
Dollard & Miller Bowlby
Pen & paper
 Paper 2 =Learning theory :Recap
Quick fire question round

1.We are born as ………………………..

2.All we have at birth is the capacity to……….
3.All behaviour is learnt from the …………
 Page 76/77 & booklet: 24/ 25
Summary = Learning Theory :-.

• We are born as “blank slates” Why are we different -

(tabula rasa) Watson believed that all individual
differences in behaviour were due to
different experiences of learning.

All we have at birth is the

Focus of the approach:
capacity to learn
observable behaviour
– NOT THOUGHT
• All behaviour is learned from
the environment Watson denied completely
• learned through our
experiences the existence of the mind or
consciousness.
1.What are the 3 techniques of learning?
2.How do you learn regarding each technique?
3.Names a psychologist for each technique
 Page 76 & 24: CONDITIONING :-
Learning Theory/ Behaviourism
CONDITIONING (learning)

• CLASSICAL Operant
CONDITIONING CONDITIONING

• Pavlov B.F. Skinner

• Watson (Dollard & Miller)
• Learn by Association Learn by Consequences
CLASSICAL CONDITIONING
STIMULUS RESPONSE

• CS / UCS CR / UCR
 Task
Draw the 3 stages of classical conditioning

Salivation
Food
Bell

Use the terminology

 Stimulus PAGE 3 : LILAC Response

Dog does not drool =No response

1. Bell
NS = neutral stimulus

A TRIAL

Dog drools = UCR

2. Bell = CS Food = UCS UCR = Unconditioned response
UCS = unconditioned
stimulus

3. Bell = CS Dog drools = CR

CS = conditioned stimulus CR = Conditioned Response
 Paper 1 - Learning theory applied to
attachment
PAPER 2 = APPROACHES - Learning theory/
Behaviourism
 Task
Now draw the 3 stages of classical conditioning
for

Happy
Food
Mother
 See page 24

Mother = NS
NS = neutral stimulus Baby is neither happy/ not happy
= No response

A trial

Mother = CS
Food = UCS Baby is happy = UCR
CS = conditioned stimulus
UCS = UCR = unconditioned response
unconditioned
stimulus

Mother = CS Baby is happy = CR

CS = conditioned stimulus CR = conditioned response
 Paper 1:Learning theory applied to attachment :

Learning theory is a nurture based theory suggesting infants

learn to become attached to their caregivers.

Sometimes referred to as Cupboard Love because it states

attachment depends on food provision.

Classical conditioning occurs when a natural

response to an environmental stimulus
becomes associated with something else
 Page 24: LT Applied to attachment
Introductory points
• 1. The conditioned response of attachment between
infant & CG is a very simple form of learned behaviour -
learned by experience.
• 2. The child will form attachments on the basis of
primary care provision (feeding etc.)
• 3.Attachment behaviour should increase steadily
from birth
• 4. The strongest attachments will be with those
who provide the most primary care: food.
 Write on A4/pg.24: Behaviourists
suggest that ATTACHMENT A LEARNED
RESPONSE
• In the 1940s and 50s the learning theory of
attachment was the key theory.
• Learning theory of attachment =.
CLASSICAL CONDITIONING OPERANT CONDITIONING
the infant’s emotional the infant’s emotional
bond can be explained in bond can be explained in
terms of associating the terms of reinforcement
satisfaction of basic arising from the
biological needs eg food satisfaction of basic
with the mother biological needs eg food
 A4: Applied to attachment
• Dollard & Miller (1950)……
 RECAP:Operant conditioning.
• The work of Skinner
was rooted in a view • He believed that the
that classical best way to understand
conditioning behaviour
• was too simplistic • is to look at the
to be a • causes of an action and
complete explanation of its consequences.
complex human
behaviour.
 Types of reinforcement……..x2
Positive Negative
• Pleasant consequence • Avoid NEGATIVE /
unpleasant consequence
• Strengthens behaviour
• Strengthens behaviour
 Application of operant conditioning to
attachment :pG 25
1. Dollard and Miller (1950) applied operant conditioning to
attachment introducing the ‘drive reduction theory’;
meaning something that motivates behaviour i.e. when an
infant is hungry there is a drive to reduce the discomfort.
2. When an infant is fed it creates pleasure- positive
reinforcement.
3. Food also becomes something that decreases the
discomfort of hunger and over time the person supplying
the food is associated with avoiding discomfort -negative
reinforcement.
4. Attachment is occurring due to the infant seeking the
person that supplies the rewards of food provision.
 Page 25:Applied to attachment :
OC & Drive reduction
• A hungry infant feels • Food is therefore a primary
uncomfortable reinforcer
& • as it reinforces the behaviour
• is driven to reduce the in order to avoid the
discomfort.
discomfort.
Hunger/thirst are primary
drives-
• When the infant is fed, the
drive is reduced (drive
The person providing the food
reduction) /reducing the drive becomes a
• & secondary reinforcer, through CC
• producing pleasure (a as associated with removing
reward). discomfort.
Reinforcement for child & mother
Attachment is not 1 way :-
• Mothers also learn to be attached to their infants
due to reinforcement as the crying stops
• The child may smile at the mother

• Is this positive or negative reinforcement ?

 • Positive -=smile • The mother is positively reinforced
by the child smiling.
& ALSO
• The mother gains a negative
• Negative = crying stops reinforcement from feeding the baby.
– escape !
• A negative reinforcement is when an
• Both types of action causes something bad to stop
reinforcement (ie feeding the baby stops the noisy
crying) making the mother more
strengthen the likely to keep feeding the baby
caregiver feeding the
• So the reinforcement works both of
child –strengthening those involved in the relationship
the attachment
Exam question page 26
 Page 26
When Max was born, his mother gave up
work to stay at home and look after him.
Max’s father works long hours and does not
have much to do with the day-to-day care of
his son. Max is now nine months old and he
seems to have a very close bond with his
mother.
Use learning theory to explain how Max
became attached to his mother rather than
to his father.
AO2 = 6
Learning theory suggests attachment develops through classical and
operant conditioning. According to classical conditioning food (UCS)
produces pleasure (UCR). Max’s mother was associated with the
food and becomes a conditioned stimulus.

According to operant conditioning food satisfied Max’s hunger and

made him feel comfortable again (drive reduction). Food was
therefore a primary reinforcer. His mother was associated with food
and became a secondary reinforcer.

Max became attached to his mother because she was a source of reward
whereas his father was not. Social learning theory could also be credited.

The explanation must be directly linked to Max and his mother.

Answers which make no reference to Max and his mother maximum 3

marks.

Unrelated descriptions of classical or operant conditioning are not credit-

worthy.