Evaluation of Learning Theory

Strengths Weaknesses

There is a lot of evidence that animals learn through classical

and operant conditioning

Pavlov demonstrated learning through classical

conditioning

Skinner demonstrated learning through operant conditioning

Psychologists continue to

demonstrate that all animals learn through classical and operant

conditioning

However, the evidence for learning theory is mainly

based on experiments with non-human participants.

Animals may be similar to human beings in the way they

learn but we have far more complex brains and a highly developed cerebral cortex.

Emotions may play a far more important role in human cognition and

attachment formation.

Conclusions about human attachment based on

animal studies may not be valid.

Anthropomorphism

Even if we accept that learning is important for

human attachment food may not be the primary reinforcer.

Attention, care, responsiveness, and

comfort, may be the main rewards and these rather

than food create the attachment bond.

Hary Harlow (1959)

“The Origins of Love

Experiments”

TextSchaffer & Emerson (1964)

‘The Glasgow Baby study’

AO1: Psychological Knowledge

AO2: Analysis and Evaluation

The extended writing

question