evaluate the learning theory of attachment (8 marks)

A range of studies actually counteract this theory in that we don’t necessarily attach to those that feed us. For example Lorenz’s geese imprinted before they were fed and maintained these no matter who fed them. Harlow’s monkeys also counteract this as they attached to the soft surrogate rather than wired monkey that dispensed milk. These animal studies therefore provide clear evidence that in both scenarios the attachment wasn’t based on food, weakening the validity of this theory as there is opposing evidence against it so it can’t be truly measuring attachment. This therefore should be true for humans as well as learning theorists tend to believe non-humans and humans are equivalent, although other psychologists may disagree with this generalization. However, Schaffer and Emerson’s study did look at attachment on humans and also found conflicting evidence for this theory. They found that most of the babies attached to their biological mothers even though other careers did most of the feeding. This is a weakness of this theory as there are many research findings that go against the idea that attachment develops as a result of feeding.
Research into early infant-caregiver interactions suggested that the quality of attachment is associated with factors such as developing reciprocity and having interactional synchrony with the primary caregiver. In addition to this, studies found that the best relationships to form attachments involved sensitive carers that were able to pick up the infants’ signals and respond appropriately and efficiently. If attachment developed purely on the basis of cupboard love and so from feeding we would not see these complex interactions as there would be no purpose for them. This is therefore a research finding not explained by the learning theory which weakens the validity of this explanation as it can’t account for all interactions as being a result of feeding and therefore it must be due to other factors not accounted for by the learning theory such as it being an innate process which Harlow and Lorenz’s study would suggest.