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Theories of Attachment

Theories of Attachment. Explanations of the underlying mechanisms of attachment formation (how & why) Two major approaches: Learning theory (Dollard & Miller) Evolutionary theory (Bowlby). www.psychlotron.org.uk. Learning Theory. Dollard & Miller (1949)

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Theories of Attachment

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  1. Theories of Attachment • Explanations of the underlying mechanisms of attachment formation (how & why) • Two major approaches: • Learning theory (Dollard & Miller) • Evolutionary theory (Bowlby) www.psychlotron.org.uk

  2. Learning Theory • Dollard & Miller (1949) • Attachment is a set of learned behaviours (i.e. results from experience of the environment, not innate processes) • Classical conditioning (association) • Operant conditioning (consequences) www.psychlotron.org.uk

  3. Learning Theory • Classical conditioning • Infant learns to associate feeding/comfort with primary carer/mother • Mother acquires comforting properties by association • Operant conditioning • Infant learns that crying, smiling brings positive response from adults (reinforcement) • Adult learns that responding to cries etc. brings relief from noise (negative reinforcement) www.psychlotron.org.uk

  4. Learning Theory • Main predictions: • The child will form attachments on the basis of primary care provision (feeding etc.) • Attachment behaviour should increase steadily from birth • The strongest attachments will be with those who provide the most primary care www.psychlotron.org.uk

  5. Evolutionary Theory • Bowlby (1953) • Attachment is biologically pre-programmed into children at birth • Encoded in the human genes • Evolves and persists because of its adaptiveness (i.e. it is evolutionarily useful) www.psychlotron.org.uk

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  12. Evolutionary Theory • Infants emit social releasers, to which adults are biologically attuned • Physical appearance • Crying, smiling etc. • These stimulate caregiving from adults www.psychlotron.org.uk

  13. Evolutionary Theory • Infants are programmed to attach to whomever responds to their releasing stimuli • They select one special attachment figure (monotropy), who is used as a safe base for exploring the world • The primary attachment is the template for future social relationships www.psychlotron.org.uk

  14. Evolutionary Theory • Main hypotheses: • Attachments will form with those who respond to child’s signals • Attachment will correlate with other aspects of (biological) development • There will be a special attachment figure that is more important than others • Disruption of attachments will have developmental consequences www.psychlotron.org.uk

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