Outline and evaluate the explanation of the Learning Theory The learning theory is model that suggests that attachment is learnt as a result of classical conditioning and operant conditioning. Food (Unconditioned stimulus) naturally produces a sense of pleasure (Unconditioned response) in the infant. As the mother continually provides the baby with food, she becomes the feeder and as the association between the two occurs. Classical conditioning occurs when food (conditioned stimulus) becomes associated with the mother which causes pleasure now becomes a conditioned response. The association between the mother and a sense of pleasure is the attachment bond.
The learning theory describes two types of actual learning in relation to this known as classical conditioning and operant conditioning. Classical conditioning refers to involuntary responses and how they transfer to new situations. The procedure involves a pairing of stimulus and response, with a subject that comes to represent the given response. For example, if a baby were happy after being fed by its caregiver, it would soon learn to associate that happiness with its mother, and feel happy on seeing her alone rather than just when being fed. This demonstrates quite clearly how the learning theory suggests that an infant's responses would be based purely on physiological need; an emotional bond does form but the learning theory argues that only as a result of the need to be fed and survive.
When an infant is hungry, this is uncomfortable and this creates a drive to reduce the discomfort. Once fed, this reduces the drive and the discomfort. This is rewarding, therefore the infant acknowledges that food is a reward or primary reinforce. The feeder is then associated with the food, then becomes the secondary reinforce, and a basis of reward in their own right. John Bowlby’s theory of
Learning Theory links attachment to pleasure. This is also known as a behaviourist theory, and focuses on the baby wanting its needs to be fulfilled. Conditioning is given as an explanation of how attachments form. There are two conditionings and they are classical conditioning which is learning by associations in the environment. Getting food naturally gives the baby pleasure.
1.1 Describe the expected pattern of children and young people’s development from birth to 19 years, include: a) Physical development, b) Communication and intellectual development, c) Social, emotional and behavioural development. In the early stages, when the child is a baby, it communicates by crying so that its needs are meet. The needs are to eat, drink, sleep and general comfort. A baby needs love and attention to grow and develop. According to Ericsson’s psychosocial theory, an infant/toddler’s first conflict is trust vs mistrust of its environment.
A3.) I think the first method is parental education. Educating myself on how to be a better parent, how to deal with an inattentive, impulsive child. I think the second method is a balanced diet. From my experience, stimulants such as caffeine, sugar, and unhealthy carbohydrates play a role in my child's
The learning theory stipulates that attachment isn’t innate but is learnt; with the basis for learning being the provision of food. The infant will form attachment with whoever feeds it as they learn to associate the comfort of being fed with the presence of their mother. Through the process of classical conditioning they come to find the contact with their mother alone comforting. Over time through the process of operant conditioning they find that certain behaviours (e.g. smiling) bring desirable responses from others and learn to repeat these behaviours to provoke the desired response.
Attachment is a strong, emotional, reciprocal bond between two people, especially child and carer. Attachment serves three main purposes these are that it is essential for; a child’s survival, a child’s emotional stability throughout his/her life and the stability of a child’s future relationships One explanation of attachment is the learning theory. This theory explains that an attachment is something that is learnt (nurture). Behaviourists came up with the theory that attachment is either learnt through classical conditioning or operant conditioning. Classical conditioning is learning through association; food is an unconditioned stimulus and provides pleasure, which is an unconditioned response.
However, the Behavioural theory is part of the Nurture debate, which suggests that attachment is a set of learned behaviours from the environment and is not something that a child is born with. Their explanation is based on Classical Conditioning and Operant Conditioning. Classical Conditioning: the infant associates feeding with the main carer who provides comfort and they then become the attachment figure. Operant Conditioning: the infant learns that demanding attention through crying or smiling brings either a positive or negative response from an adult, they then base who they see as their main caregiver on whoever responds most to them. Both of these conditions show us that the child forms attachments on the basis of primary care provision and that the strongest attachment will be with the person who provides the most care for the child.
Observation is considered a key skill in supporting learning. It builds a wider picture of the child, informs future practice, and helps to reveal what a child can do, cannot do, or could do with support. This is known as the