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0
E
Erica
16/12/2025
Psychology
Explanations of attachment: Learning theory
Learning Theory and Attachment
Think of attachment like training a pet, but in reverse - the baby learns to love whoever feeds them! Dollard and Miller (1950) reckoned that caregiver-infant bonds develop purely through learning processes, with food being the magic ingredient.
Classical conditioning works by creating associations between different stimuli. Initially, your mum is just another face (neutral stimulus), but because she constantly appears with food, your brain starts linking her with the pleasure of being fed. Eventually, just seeing her face triggers feelings of happiness and comfort - she's become a conditioned stimulus.
Operant conditioning explains why this relationship strengthens over time. When you cry and get fed, crying becomes reinforced behaviour because it works! Meanwhile, your caregiver gets negative reinforcement when the crying stops after feeding you. It's a win-win learning cycle.
The theory suggests attachment is a secondary drive - we're not born wanting mum specifically, but we learn to want her because she satisfies our primary drive for food. Clever, right?
Quick Fact: According to learning theory, love is literally learned behaviour based on who meets your survival needs!
Problems with Learning Theory
Here's the thing though - real-world evidence suggests learning theory doesn't tell the whole story. Animal research shows some serious flaws in this food-focused approach.
Lorenz's geese didn't attach to whoever fed them - they imprinted on the first moving thing they saw (sometimes even Lorenz himself!). Harlow's monkey experiments proved that baby monkeys chose soft, cuddly "mothers" over wire ones that provided food. Comfort trumped cuisine every time.
Human research backs this up too. Schaffer and Emerson found that babies usually formed their strongest attachment with mum, even when dad or grandparents did most of the feeding. This suggests there's more to love than lunch!
Learning theory also completely ignores crucial factors like reciprocity and interactional synchrony (being in tune with each other). These emotional connections seem far more important than simple food associations.
However, don't write off learning theory entirely. Hay and Vespo (1988) proposed that parents might teach children to love them by modelling affectionate behaviour and rewarding loving responses. Some conditioning elements probably do play a role in building those precious early bonds.
Remember: While food might start the relationship, it's emotional connection that really builds lasting attachment!
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THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
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Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
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The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
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Understanding Learning Theory in Attachment
Ever wondered why babies form such strong bonds with their parents? Learning theory suggests it's all about conditioning and rewards - basically, we learn to love those who meet our needs through psychological processes similar to how we learn everything... Show more
Learning Theory and Attachment
Think of attachment like training a pet, but in reverse - the baby learns to love whoever feeds them! Dollard and Miller (1950) reckoned that caregiver-infant bonds develop purely through learning processes, with food being the magic ingredient.
Classical conditioning works by creating associations between different stimuli. Initially, your mum is just another face (neutral stimulus), but because she constantly appears with food, your brain starts linking her with the pleasure of being fed. Eventually, just seeing her face triggers feelings of happiness and comfort - she's become a conditioned stimulus.
Operant conditioning explains why this relationship strengthens over time. When you cry and get fed, crying becomes reinforced behaviour because it works! Meanwhile, your caregiver gets negative reinforcement when the crying stops after feeding you. It's a win-win learning cycle.
The theory suggests attachment is a secondary drive - we're not born wanting mum specifically, but we learn to want her because she satisfies our primary drive for food. Clever, right?
Quick Fact: According to learning theory, love is literally learned behaviour based on who meets your survival needs!
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Problems with Learning Theory
Here's the thing though - real-world evidence suggests learning theory doesn't tell the whole story. Animal research shows some serious flaws in this food-focused approach.
Lorenz's geese didn't attach to whoever fed them - they imprinted on the first moving thing they saw (sometimes even Lorenz himself!). Harlow's monkey experiments proved that baby monkeys chose soft, cuddly "mothers" over wire ones that provided food. Comfort trumped cuisine every time.
Human research backs this up too. Schaffer and Emerson found that babies usually formed their strongest attachment with mum, even when dad or grandparents did most of the feeding. This suggests there's more to love than lunch!
Learning theory also completely ignores crucial factors like reciprocity and interactional synchrony (being in tune with each other). These emotional connections seem far more important than simple food associations.
However, don't write off learning theory entirely. Hay and Vespo (1988) proposed that parents might teach children to love them by modelling affectionate behaviour and rewarding loving responses. Some conditioning elements probably do play a role in building those precious early bonds.
Remember: While food might start the relationship, it's emotional connection that really builds lasting attachment!
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
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Stefan S
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This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
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Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
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This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
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Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user