Attachment- Bowlby’s Maternal Deprivation Theory

Question 1

Explain bowlbys maternal deprivation theory.

Answer 1

Believed that continual nurture from a mother was vital for normal psychological development- intellectual and emotional.
Short separations do not have negative effects however extended separation can lead to deprivation and harm.
Mother continuously absent during critical period can lead to psychological damage.
Link to mental retardation and affectionless psychopathy.

Question 2

What is affectionless psychopathy?

Answer 2

Inability to feel guilt/empathy, associated with criminality.
Thought to be caused by maternal deprivation.

Question 3

What was the aim of bowlbys 44 thieves study?

Answer 3

Aims to see whether deprivation was associated with behavioural disorders.

Question 4

What is the method and findings of bowlbys 44 thieves study?

Answer 4

44 juvenile criminals, 44 non-criminals age 5 to 16.
interviewed children and families about their early experiences.
found that 14 of 44 thieves were affectless psychopaths 86% had experienced early prolonged deprivation however only 4% of control group.

Question 5

What are two strengths of bowlbys maternal deprivation theory?

Answer 5

Bowlbys 44 thieves study

Real world application-impact on institutional practice.
E.g. visiting hrs in hospitals.
High external validity.

Question 6

What is a weakness of bowlbys maternal deprivation theory?

Answer 6

Can’t establish cause + effect.
Used interviews (social desirability bias?) plus other life events or disorders could act as extraneous variables.
Low internal validity.