1. Attachment
Learning Theory

2. tutor2u Full Lesson PowerPoint
Full Lesson PowerPoint Key
Green = Key Word or Researcher
Blue = Question / Discussion
Purple = Task / Activity
This tutor2u Full Lesson PowerPoint is copyrighted and may not be reproduced or shared without permission from the author. All images are sourced under licence from Shutterstock and may not be reused or republished.

3. Learning Theory
Question: Why do pet cats show a lot of affection to their owners when they hear the sound of food being prepared?

4. Learning Theory Lesson Objectives:
To apply the key terms of classical conditioning to attachment and understand how children can form an attachment through learning.
To evaluate the learning theory using animal studies.

5. Learning Theory - Background
Learning theories of attachment focus on the rewards provided by caregivers.
Question: What type of rewards do caregivers provide their children with?
Food
Comfort
Warmth
Shelter

6. Classical Conditioning
Task: While watching the following video, fill in the blanks on your handout, using the key words provided.

7. unconditioned stimulus unconditioned response
Before conditioning
In the video, Rover (the dog) is presented with a stimulus – a bell. When the bell is rung, there is no response in Rover. This is because dogs are not naturally wired to respond to a bell. Therefore, we call the bell a ________________________.  
When Rover is introduced to the sight of food his natural response is to salivate. This is a natural/innate reaction so this stimulus is called an ________________________ and his response is called an ________________________.  
neutral stimulus
unconditioned stimulus
unconditioned response

8. During conditioning
If we repeatedly ring the bell immediately before presenting Rover with food, he will be ________________________ to respond to the bell.
conditioned

9. Classical conditioning – learning through association
After conditioning
Now Rover will salivate upon hearing the bell even in the absence of food. This response has been conditioned. It is now a ________________________, and the bell has become a ________________________.
Classical conditioning – learning through association
To summarise…
conditioned response
conditioned stimulus

10. 1. Before conditioning
2. Before conditioning
3. During conditioning
3. After conditioning

11. Classical Conditioning & Attachment
Let’s imagine the following:
Pavlov’s dog is now a baby
The bell is now the mother
The dog food is now milk

12. Classical Conditioning
Task: In groups, cut out and arrange the pictures and key words provided to demonstrate the process of classical conditioning in attachment, using the four stages detailed below.

13. Unconditioned response
1. Before conditioning
2. Before conditioning
Unconditioned response
Happy baby – relieved from hunger
Neutral stimulus
No response
Unconditioned stimulus
3. During conditioning
3. After conditioning
Neutral stimulus
Conditioned stimulus
Unconditioned response
Conditioned
response
Unconditioned stimulus

14. Task: Complete the diagram below to demonstrate the process of classical conditioning for attachment. Either draw pictures or write the name of what should appear in each section.
Unconditioned Stimulus
No response
Unconditioned Response
Neutral Stimulus
Unconditioned Stimulus
Unconditioned Response
Neutral Stimulus
Conditioned Stimulus
Conditioned Response

15. Unconditioned Stimulus No response
Unconditioned Response
Neutral Stimulus
Unconditioned Stimulus
Unconditioned Response
Neutral Stimulus
Conditioned Stimulus
Conditioned Response

16. Classical Conditioning & Attachment
Task: Write a short summary of how children form an attachment through classical conditioning. Use your diagram to help you.
Hint: Make sure that you relate your answer to the formation of an emotional tie/bond between the mother and child.
Don’t just outline classical conditioning.

17. Harlow(1959)
Question: While watching the following video, consider the following question: Do Harlow’s findings support or refute the learning theory of attachment, and why?

18. Harlow (1959)
Task: Using the information provided on the Harlow (1959) study, write a burger paragraph evaluating the learning theory of attachment.

19. The Burger Technique
Point
Evidence or Example
Explain
One issue with the learning theory of attachment comes from research by Harlow (1959).
Harlow (1959) found…
This matters because…

20. The Burger Technique
Task: Swap your completed burger with your partner and assess whether your partner has written an effective evaluation point.
Consider the following:
Have they explained the results of Harlow (1959) so that someone who doesn’t know this study would understand the outcome?
Have they explained why Harlow’s research undermines the learning theory effectively?

21. The Burger Technique
Point
Evidence or Example
Explain
One issue with the learning theory of attachment comes from research by Harlow (1959).
Harlow (1959) found that rhesus monkeys who were raised by two artificial surrogate mothers – one which provided food and one which provided comfort – spent most of their time cuddled to the soft cloth-covered mother, suggesting that attachments are based on contact comfort and not food.
This matters because it undermines the learning theory which suggests that babies form attachments for food, whereas Harlow suggests that attachments form for comfort and not food.

22. A Level Psychology Support from tutor2u
tutor2u is the leading provider of support for A Level Psychology Teachers and Students. Join our resource-sharing communities on Facebook and make full use of our resources on the free tutor2u Psychology Channel.
Facebook Groups:
AQA Psychology Teachers
Edexcel Psychology Teachers
OCR Psychology Teachers
A Level Psychology Students
Visit the tutor2u A Level Psychology Channel