Attachment - Bowlby's maternal deprivation hypothesis

Question 1

When was the maternal deprivation hypothesis proposed?

Answer 1

20 years before his attachment theory - overlaps with his idea of the critical period though

Question 2

What is separation?

Answer 2

Physical time spent away from the mother, usually a short period of time

Question 3

What is deprivation?

Answer 3

Prolonged separation over a long period of time

Question 4

What is privation?

Answer 4

When no attachment has ever been formed

Question 5

What is the law of accumulation?

Answer 5

The effect of every separation from the mother add up so the ‘safest does is the zero dose’

Question 6

What did Bowlby argue about the effects of maternal deprivation?

Answer 6

If a child experiences it, they will suffer irreversible damage

Question 7

What did he argue about a mother’s care?

Answer 7

A mother’s continuous care is as important for mental health as vitamins and minerals are for physical health

Question 8

What time period is important to form an attachment?

Answer 8

2.5 years is the critical period

Question 9

If a child is maternally deprived, what problems can it lead to?

Answer 9

• Affectionless psychopathy - inability to show affection or concern for others (act on impulse with little regard for the consequences of their actions)
• Delinquency - petty crime committed by young people
• Low IQ - he termed it ‘mental retardation’

Question 10

What is the 44 thieves study procedure? (Bowlby, 1944)

Answer 10

44 criminal teenagers interviewed for signs of affectionless psychopathy (families also interviewed about prolonged early separations from their mothers) compared to a control group of 44 non-criminal but emotionally disturbed young people

Question 11

What is the 44 thieves study aim? (Bowlby, 1944)

Answer 11

To examine the link between affectionless psychopathy and maternal deprivation

Question 12

What is the 44 thieves study findings? (Bowlby, 1944)

Answer 12

• 14/44 thieves described as affectionless psychopaths
  —> 12/14 APs experienced maternal deprivation
• Only 5 of remaining 30 thieves had experienced separations
• Only 2/44 controls had experienced prolonged separation

Question 13

What is the 44 thieves study conclusion? (Bowlby, 1944)

Answer 13

===> Prolonged early separation/deprivation caused affectionless psychopathy