What is one criticism of a learning theory explanation of attachment?

Another critique of the learning theory is its overemphasis on the role of food in attachment. Conflicting evidence, such as Harlow's study, argues that comfort might play a more significant role than food in attachment formation.

What are the criticisms of attachment theory?

Critics contend that assuming an infant must form a single bond is damaging to the relationship between infants and other potential caregivers in their life. Others take issue with the idea that unless the attachment is formed by age two, a person is doomed to have an insecure attachment style forever.

Which of the following is a criticism of attachment theory?

Which of the following is a major criticism of attachment theory? It overstates the mother's influence and understates the child's influence on the quality of attachment.

Why Harlow's study undermines the learning theory explanation of attachment?

Evidence from Harlow contradicts the learning theory of attachment. Harlow found that baby monkeys spent more time with a soft towelling monkey (which did not provide food), in comparison to a wire monkey which did provided food.

How is the learning theory of attachment reductionist?

However, this theory is reductionist as it focuses on basic processes rather than complex emotional mechanisms which may play a role in infant attachment. In conjunction to this, the theory is mostly founded on animal research and therefore cannot be fully generalised to human behaviour.

A-Level Psychology (AQA): The Learning Theory of Attachment

What does learning theory say about attachment?

The learning theory of attachment is a behaviourist explanation that suggests that attachments develop through classical and/or operant conditioning. It is sometimes referred to as a cupboard love theory, as the infant attaches to the caregiver who provides the food.

What is the learning theory explanation of attachment?

Learning theory of attachment:

-suggests that all behaviour is learnt rather than inborn and that children are born as 'blank slates' and that they are shaped by their experiences.

What is one criticism of Harlow's study?

On the one hand, his work on monkey cognition and social development fostered a view of the animals as having rich subjective lives filled with intention and emotion. On the other, he has been criticized for the conduct of research that seemed to ignore the ethical implications of his own discoveries.

What is one criticism of learning theory?

One criticism of learning theory as an explanation for attachment is that it suggests that food is the key element in the formation of attachment.

What are the ethical criticisms of Harlow's research?

The reason this experiment was considered controversial or unethical was because of the way the infant monkeys were treated. Many of the experiments Harlow conducted on the rhesus macaque were heavily criticized because of their cruelty and limited value.

Which of the following are criticisms of attachment theory quizlet?

It can involve social contexts such as families, peers, schools, and culture. Which of the following is a criticism of attachment theory? It overemphasizes the attachment bond and ignores infant resiliency.

What are the positives and negatives of attachment theory?

We tend to think of attachment as positive, based on love, caring, compassion, trust, support. Indeed, most start out that way. But the stronger attachments tend to be negative – those that have gradually devolved into chronic resentment, anger, blame, and criticism, driven by fear of abandonment.

What is a criticism of the strange situation and attachment theory?

Criticisms of the Strange Situation Test

Some argue that the use of only mothers in the study takes away from the validity of its application to general attachment styles. Children who have a father, grandparent, or other types of caregivers may show differences in their behaviors and attachment styles.

What is one criticism of the learning theory explanation of attachment 4 marks?

Another critique of the learning theory is its overemphasis on the role of food in attachment. Conflicting evidence, such as Harlow's study, argues that comfort might play a more significant role than food in attachment formation.

What is the largest criticism of the learning theories?

The main criticisms of social learning theories concern the extent to which social interactions influence behaviour. Critics argue that these theories tend to reject genetic factors as significant determinants of behaviour: the classic nature versus nurture debate (Bouchard et al.

What are the criticisms of cognitive learning theory?

The cognitive learning theory has faced criticisms in several areas. One criticism is that the theory assumes that learning depends on hypothesis testing, cognitive models, and propositional reasoning, while association-based theories focus on concepts such as excitation, inhibition, and reinforcement.

Which of the following is a criticism of behavioral theories of learning?

The behaviorist theory of learning has been criticized for several reasons. One criticism is that it cannot explain complex learning situations. Another criticism is that it makes students passive and does not take into account differences in students' levels of understanding.

Which theory in attachment does Harlow's research disapprove?

Harlow's monkey experiment disproved the prevailing theory of the time that love was based on physical needs, and that infants only grew attached to their mothers (or primary caregivers) because they provided food.

How can Harlow's research be used as a criticism of the learning theory of attachment?

Lorenz and Harlow's research weakens learning theory. Lorenz's goslings imprinted on him before he fed them, and Harlow's monkeys preferred a cloth mother (which didn't have a milk bottle) over a wire mother (which did). This suggests food is not the primary reason for attachment.

What is the major criticism of Harlow's attachment study using monkeys as research subjects?

Harlow's work has been criticized. His experiments have been seen as unnecessarily cruel (unethical) and of limited value in attempting to understand the effects of deprivation on human infants. It was clear that the monkeys in this study suffered from emotional harm from being reared in isolation.

What are the strengths of the learning theory of attachment?

Strengths: (1) POINT: Learning theory can provide an adequate explanation of how attachments form. EVIDENCE/EXAMPLE: For example, we do seem to learn in a number of ways through association in real-life (e.g. we associate certain situations with danger when we develop phobias even if that association is irrational).

What is the learning theory of attachment and Bowlby?

This theory proposes that the emotional and social development of an infant is profoundly shaped by their relationship with their primary caregivers. Bowlby's theory is rooted in the belief that infants are biologically wired to form attachments, a mechanism that serves as a survival strategy.

What is attachment theory and why it is important?

Attachment is a clinical term used to describe "a lasting psychological connectedness between human beings” (Bowlby, 1997)¹. In particular, attachment theory highlights the importance of a child's emotional bond with their primary caregivers.

Is attachment theory good or bad?

Look, attachment theory is often a helpful research tool, (and I have used it myself in my own research), and can often also be useful as another lens through which to better understand the client, but let's take its most pernicious aspects out of the therapy office so it can no longer impose arbitrary, moralistic ...

Does attachment theory explain everything?

Your attachment style doesn't explain everything about your relationships, but it probably explains a great deal of why your close relationships have succeeded/failed in the manner they did, why you're attracted to the people you are attracted to, and the nature of the relationship problems that come up again and again ...