According to behavioral theory, which of the following BEST explains how children develop special attachments to their mothers?
A)The mother provides innate contact comfort to the infant.
B)The infant is biologically programmed to emit behavior that triggers a protective response from adult females.
C)The mother becomes a conditioned reinforcer because she is associated with the reinforcing act of being fed.
D)Maternal attachment behavior is the result of reproductive fitness.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The behavioral theory posits that attachments form through conditioning processes. In this context, the mother becomes a conditioned reinforcer through her association with the act of feeding, which is inherently reinforcing to the infant. This explanation aligns with the principles of classical conditioning, where a neutral stimulus (the mother) becomes associated with an unconditioned stimulus (food) that naturally produces an unconditioned response (pleasure or satisfaction from eating). Over time, the infant begins to associate the mother with the comfort and satisfaction derived from feeding, leading to the development of a special attachment.

According to Behavioral Theory, Which of the Following BEST Explains