3.8 Bowlby's theory maternal deprivation

Question 1

Define Deprivation

Answer 1

To be deprived is to lose something. In the context of child development deprivation refers to the loss of emotional care that is normally provided by a primary caregiver.

Question 2

Describe the findings of Bowlby’s theory of maternal deprivation study

Answer 2

Those that were diagnosed as affectionless psychopathy had had frequent early separation from their mothers. 86% of affectionless thieves had suffered it compared to the 17% of normal people.

Question 3

Describe bowlby’s theory of maternal deprivation study

Answer 3

88 people - half had been caught stealing. The other half were a control group. Some of the thieves were a control group.

Question 4

what did Bowlby suggest was the long-term consequence of deprivation?

Answer 4

emotional maladjustment or even mental health problems such as depression.

Question 5

procedure of key study: Bowlby, 44 juvenile thieves

Answer 5

analysed the case histories of a number of his patients in london
all children he treated as ‘patients’ were emotionally maladjusted
he studied 88 of these children - half had been caught stealing, and the other 44 were a control group
bowlby suggested that some of the thieves were affectionless psychopaths - they lacked the normal signs of affection, shame or sense of responsibility
such characteristics enabled them to be ‘thieves’ - they could steal from others because it didn’t matter to them

Question 6

evaluate Bowlby’s theory as an explanation for attachment

Answer 6

attachment is adaptive - human infants form attachments when they start to be mobile
a sensitive period rather than a critical period (Rutter et al.)
multiple attachments - Bowlby’s views are not contradictory because secondary attachments contribute to one single internal working model
continuity hypothesis - securely attached infants later classed as more empathetic and more popular
temperament hypothesis - Kagan suggested that innate emotional personality determines attachment

Question 7

describe Bowlby’s attachment theory

Answer 7

critical period - attachments form around 3-6 months, afterwards this becomes increasingly difficult
primary attachment figure - determined by caregiver sensitivity (Ainsworth)
social releasers elicit caregiving and ensure attachment from parent to infant
monotropy - primary attachment has special emotional role, secondary attachments provide safety net
internal working model - acts as a template for future relationships, creating continuity (continuity hypothesis)