Attachment- Maternal deprivation- TB

Question 1

What is Bowlby’s Theory of Maternal Deprivation/ Maternal Deprivation Hypothesis?

Answer 1

A prediction on the long term (negative) consequences of separation between the infant and primary caregiver

Question 2

What does Bowlby’s theory of Maternal Deprivation suggest?

Answer 2

A link between separation & social/emotional maladjustment

Question 3

How did Bowlby suggest the relationship must be?

Answer 3

Warm, intimate & continuous

Question 4

What are 3 things separation anxiety can cause?

Answer 4

1) Increased aggression
2) Fluctuations between detachment & clinging behaviour
3) Psychosomatic reactions (physical conditions without a medical explanation)

Question 5

What is Bowlby’s critical period in which negative consequences can occur?

Answer 5

2.5 years, but still a risk up to 5 years

Question 6

What does Bowlby suggest the emotional maladjustment is?

Answer 6

Irreversible and permanent

Question 7

What did Bowlby suggest MD can cause?

Answer 7

Affectionless psychopathy, negative affects on social, emotional & intellectual development, separation anxiety and deviant behaviour

Question 8

What is affectionless psychopathy?

Answer 8

The inability to experience guilt, have deep feelings for others & the consequent lack of meaningful interpersonal relationships

Question 9

Who supports Bowlby’s MD theory?

Answer 9

Richards (1987) supports his suggestion that long periods of separation can cause separation anxiety

Question 10

What was Bowlby’s 44 thieves study aim?

Answer 10

To test his maternal deprivation hypothesis and the effects of early separations & affectionless psychopathy

Question 11

What was the 44 thieves procedure?

Answer 11

Interviewed children & their families, who attended Tavistock clinic, comparing the background of 44 juvenile thieves to the background of 44 non-delinquent children (correlational study)

Question 12

What did Bowlby find in his 44 thieves study?

Answer 12

Affectionless psychopaths experienced frequent separation during 1st 5 years of their life- 86% of affectionless thieves experienced frequent separations compared to 17% of other thieves
No control participants experienced early separation

Question 13

What did Bowlby conclude from his 44 thieves study?

Answer 13

Separation in early life led to long term effects on emotional development, and there was a link between maternal deprivation & affectionless psychopathy

Question 14

What are 5 criticisms of the 44 thieves study?

Answer 14

1) Cause and effect not established as other variables may have affected results
2) Researcher bias
3) Emotional separation not mentioned
4) Social desirability bias- interview
5) Lack of clarity- deprivation or privation

Question 15

What are 2 strengths of Bowlby’s 44 thieves study?

Answer 15

1) Bifulco research supports critical period- mental health problems greater in women who experienced separation <6
2) Major social changes e.g. care in hospitals

Question 16

How can individual differences be discussed when evaluating the 44 thieves study?

Answer 16

Securely attached children cope well as they are resilient

Question 17

What are 2 evaluation points for Bowlby’s MDH?

Answer 17

1) - Separation may be psychological as well as physical
2) + Case study support (Robertsons e.g. little John)