Learning theory suggests that babies form attachments through association and...
Psychology389 views·Updated 3 Sept 2026·2 pagesUnderstanding Learning Theory in Psychology - AO3
1
of 2
Evidence Supporting Learning Theory
You've probably experienced classical conditioning yourself without realising it - like feeling anxious when you hear a particular ringtone or getting hungry when you smell your favourite food. This same process might explain how babies form attachments.
The famous Little Albert experiment shows this in action. Watson and Raynor demonstrated that a baby could learn to fear fluffy toys simply through association - every time Little Albert reached for the toy, they banged a metal bar to create a frightening noise. Soon enough, he became scared of the toy itself.
This real-life evidence suggests that humans do form emotional connections through association, just like learning theory predicts. If we can develop phobias this way, perhaps babies also learn to love their caregivers by associating them with good feelings like being fed and comforted.
Key Insight: Classical conditioning isn't just a lab concept - it happens in everyday life and could explain the basics of attachment formation.
2
of 2
Evidence Against Learning Theory
Here's where things get interesting - Schaffer and Emerson's research completely challenges the "food equals love" assumption. Their 1964 study found that 39% of babies formed their strongest attachment with someone who wasn't their main feeder or carer.
Instead, babies were drawn to secondary caregivers who were simply more responsive, playful, and emotionally available. Think about it - maybe the parent who works long hours but plays peek-a-boo becomes the favourite, not the one doing all the nappy changes.
Harlow's monkey experiments deliver an even stronger blow to learning theory. When baby monkeys could choose between a wire "mother" that provided food and a soft cloth "mother" that offered comfort, they overwhelmingly preferred the cuddly option. They'd dash over for quick feeds but spend most of their time clinging to the comfort-giving figure.
Bottom Line: If attachment was just about food and meeting physical needs, these research findings simply wouldn't make sense.
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Psychology389 views·Updated 3 Sept 2026·2 pagesUnderstanding Learning Theory in Psychology - AO3
Learning theory suggests that babies form attachments through association and rewards - basically learning to love whoever feeds them. But is it really that simple? Let's examine the evidence for and against this explanation of how those crucial early bonds...
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Evidence Supporting Learning Theory
You've probably experienced classical conditioning yourself without realising it - like feeling anxious when you hear a particular ringtone or getting hungry when you smell your favourite food. This same process might explain how babies form attachments.
The famous Little Albert experiment shows this in action. Watson and Raynor demonstrated that a baby could learn to fear fluffy toys simply through association - every time Little Albert reached for the toy, they banged a metal bar to create a frightening noise. Soon enough, he became scared of the toy itself.
This real-life evidence suggests that humans do form emotional connections through association, just like learning theory predicts. If we can develop phobias this way, perhaps babies also learn to love their caregivers by associating them with good feelings like being fed and comforted.
Key Insight: Classical conditioning isn't just a lab concept - it happens in everyday life and could explain the basics of attachment formation.
2
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Evidence Against Learning Theory
Here's where things get interesting - Schaffer and Emerson's research completely challenges the "food equals love" assumption. Their 1964 study found that 39% of babies formed their strongest attachment with someone who wasn't their main feeder or carer.
Instead, babies were drawn to secondary caregivers who were simply more responsive, playful, and emotionally available. Think about it - maybe the parent who works long hours but plays peek-a-boo becomes the favourite, not the one doing all the nappy changes.
Harlow's monkey experiments deliver an even stronger blow to learning theory. When baby monkeys could choose between a wire "mother" that provided food and a soft cloth "mother" that offered comfort, they overwhelmingly preferred the cuddly option. They'd dash over for quick feeds but spend most of their time clinging to the comfort-giving figure.
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