A9. Maternal Deprivation

Question 1

Maternal Depravation

Answer 1

• theory that an attachment is essential for healthy psychological and emotional development
• states there are negative consequences for being deprived/separated of/from a mother figure

Question 2

MD Consequences

Answer 2

• inability to form future attachments (IWM)
• affectionless psychopathy (unable to feel remorse)
• delinquency (behavioural problems in teenage years)
• cognitive development issues

Question 3

Temporary MD examples

Answer 3

• child put in day-care
• prolonged stays in hospital
• placed in institution to protect from abusive/neglectful/absent parents

Question 4

Privation

Answer 4

• child fails to form any attachment at all
• institutional care has been most harmful cause of privation

Question 5

Bowlby 44 Thieves

Answer 5

• 14 displayed affectionless psychopathy (12 of these suffered MD in critical period)
• 5 of remaining 30 thieves also had AP
• therefore, MD = AP = criminality

Question 6

• Eval: 44 Thieves Methodological Limitations

Answer 6

• Researcher Bias: Bowlby may have used leading questions, as he knew exactly what conclusion he aimed to draw.
• MD theory based on interviews collected from war orphans. Does not account for confounding variables (PTSD, or lacking quality of care in orphanages) which may have had a greater impact than MD, on development

Question 7

• Eval: Effects of MD, and importance of critical period; not as clear-cut

Answer 7

• Twins locked in cupboard in Czechoslovakia for first 7 years of life (far longer than 30-month critical period)
• Despite obvious trauma and MD, both children made full psychological recovery with the appropriate fostering