8. bowlby's theory of maternal deprivation

Question 1

his theory of maternal deprivation

Answer 1

idea that a strong attachment is essential for psychological, emotional and intellectual development of babies and toddlers
mater deprivation could result in long lasting problems like affectionless psychopathy

Question 2

human critical period

Answer 2

in first 2.5 years
being seperted from primary attachment figure for an extended period of time so with the absense of substitute care means damage is inevitable

Question 3

effects on development

Answer 3

intellectual development: children were deprived of maternal care too long in the critical period suffer mental retardation and abnormally low IQ
Goldfarb found lower IQ in children who remained in institution compared to those who were fostered

emotional development: affectionless psychopathy is the inability to experience guilty or strong emotions for others this prevents developing normal relationships and associated with criminals
affectionless psychopaths can’t appreciate the feelings of victims so lack remorse for their actions

Question 4

evidence to support: 44 juvenile thieves (by Bowlby)

Answer 4

88 children
patients at the Child Guidance Clinic in London
44 were thieves and the other acted as a control group
14 thieves showed little signs of shame or responsibility labelled as affectionless psychopathy
12 out of the 14 experienced frequent early separation
shows early childhood separation is linked to affectionless psychopathy

Question 5

evidence to support: Bifulco et al 1992

Answer 5

250 women who had lost their mothers before 17
found loss of mother doubles the risk of depressive and anxiety disorders
rate of depression was highest in women who’s mothers had died before they were 6
supports idea of critical period

Question 6

evidence that weaken: Lewis 1954

Answer 6

replicated 44 thieves study on a larger scale
500 young people
she found a history of prolonged separation from mother didn’t predict criminality or difficulty forming close relationships

problem as it means there may be other factors that affect the outcome of early maternal deprivation

Question 7

evidence that weakens: sensitive period Koluchova 1976

Answer 7

reports case of twin boys from Czechoslovakia who were isolated for 18 months until they were 7 as their step mum locked them in a cupboard
then looked after by 2 loving sisters
fully recovered as they had normal IQ and married

suggests the critical period is actually just a sensitive period

Question 8

evidence that weakens: failure to distinguish between deprivation and privation. Rutter 1976

Answer 8

rutter1976
Bowlby muddled deprivation and privation
severe long term damage Bowlby associated with deprivation is more likely to be a result of privation

Bowlby’s theory needs to be modified to be accurate