9) Bowlby's Theory of Maternal Deprivation

Question 1

What did Bowlby say about motherly-love

Answer 1

He claimed that motherly-love is just as important for psychological health as vitamins for physical health in children’s development

Question 2

Separation v Deprivation

Answer 2

Separation - is where the primary attachment figure isn’t present for small amounts of time, however, often another carer is present to deliver the necessary emotional care
Deprivation - Is where the baby has no emotional care provided

Question 3

What can separation lead to even if small amounts of separations cause minimal impact

Answer 3

Extended periods of separation can lead to deprivation which will ultimately cause harm

Question 4

What critical period did Bowlby identify

Answer 4

2.5 years, where if there are extended lengths of separation or deprivation from emotional care psychological damage is inevitable

Question 5

What effect will maternal deprivation cause on 2 types of development

Answer 5

• Intellectual development, which included things such as abnormally low IQ
• Emotional development, involves something referred to as affectionless psychopathy, which is the inability of feeling guilt for actions

Question 6

What study did Bowlby carry out on maternal deprivation

Answer 6

44 thieves
- link between affection less psychopathy and maternal deprivation
- Over 10 had been described as having ‘affectionless psychopathy’
- almost all of those has experienced prolonged separation/maternal deprivation

Question 7

EV - Based on poor quality evidence

Answer 7

• The 44 thieves was flawed, Bowlby conducted both family interviews and assessments for affectionless psychopathy
• Bias, as well as being influenced by Goldfarb’s poorly conducted research, therefore Bowlbys original source was flawed, causing his to follow in the same steps