Bowlby’s Maternal Deprivation Hypothesis

Question 1

What is Bowlby’s ‘Maternal Deprivation Hypothesis’?

Answer 1

Bowlby’s theory that loss of a primary caregiver in the critical period would have negative consequences for a child’s future, emotional and intellectual development.

Question 2

What is ‘Maternal Deprivation’?

Answer 2

Loss of emotional care from mother during the critical period

Question 3

What is the ‘Law of accumulated separation’?

Answer 3

Many periods of separation can adapt to be deprivation with the associated negative effects.

Question 4

What is ‘Affectionless Psychopathy’?

Answer 4

A condition caused by maternal operation, according to Bowlby, which is characterised by lack of empathy or guilt.