Attachment L10

Question 1

What did Bowlby propose with the maternal deprivation theory (A01)?

Answer 1

Children who suffer from prolonged emotional deprivation, caused by absence of primary attachment figure will have long term intellectual, social and mental health issues.

Question 2

What is the critical period maternal deprivation must occur within to have negative impacts (A01)?

Answer 2

Before 2 and a half years old, but there is a risk up to 5 years old (sensitive period)

Question 3

How did bowlby study this (A01)?

Answer 3

Studied 88 children in a Clinic, 44 of which were caught stealing (44 thieves), other half were a control group. All were interviewed for signs of affectionless psychopathy. Families were also interviewed to check if they had suffered maternal deprivation.

Question 4

What is a strength of the theory of maternal deprivation (A03)?

Answer 4

Before bowlbys theory hospitals would not allow parents to visit kids in hospital. This often had damaging effect on kids. Now parents are encouraged to stay with kids. Shows maternal deprivation is a reality

Question 5

What is a strength of the theory of maternal deprivation (A03)?(Spitz)

Answer 5

Spitz examined kids in poor quality institutions, where members of staff rarely gave children any attention or affection. The children displayed signs of depression.

Question 6

What is a weakness of the theory of maternal deprivation (A03)?

Answer 6

Effects are reversible. Tizard found that children who never had attachments and were adopted after 4 still formed attachments

Question 7

What did Bowlby find?

Answer 7

Bowlby found that 14 of the 44 thieves were ‘affectionless psychopaths’. From this 14, 12 had experienced maternal deprivation during critical period. In control group, 2 out of 44 experienced maternal deprivation. Therefore Bowlby concluded maternal deprivation caused affectionless psychopaths.