Bowlby's maternal deprivation theory

Question 1

list the six principles of Bowlbys maternal deprivation theory

Answer 1

1. continuous emotional care is essential
2. a childs seperation from their mother can cause psychological damage
3. maternal deprivation can cause lower IQ levels
4. separation from mother will lead to maternal deprivation
5. lack of emotionless care can lead to affectionless psychopathy
6. kids Protest, Despair and detach, when showing symptoms of maternal deprivation

Question 2

define deprivation

Answer 2

the loss of an attachment

Question 3

define privation

Answer 3

never forming an attachment

Question 4

name the study that Bowlby conducted based off his maternal deprivation theory

Answer 4

44 thieves study

Question 5

what was the 44 thieves study?

Answer 5

a control group and experimental group of 44 delinquents and normal teenagers, who were questioned to see if they showed signs of affectionless psychopathy.

Question 6

outline the procedure of the 44 thieves study

Answer 6

• 44 delinquent teenagers were questioned to see if they felt guilty about convictions
• their families were questioned to see if they experienced any seperation from the mother

Question 7

what were the findings of the study?

Answer 7

• 14/44 were classed as affectionless psychopaths
• 12/14 were separated from their mothers
• this suggests that prolonged separation has an effect

Question 8

what were the limitations of the 44 thieves study?

Answer 8

Bias:
- flawed evidence as Bowlby himself conducted the experiment, affecting the validity of the findings

Confusion:
- Bowlby got deprivation and privation confused which affects the accuracy of results