Bowlby’s Maternal Deprivation Theory

Question 1

Describe separation vs deprivation

Answer 1

Physical separation only becomes deprivation when a child looses an element of care

Question 2

Describe the critical period

Answer 2

First 30M are critical any deprivation in that time causes damage.

Question 3

Describe the impact of deprivation on intellectual development

Answer 3

If deprived from maternal care for too long Goldfarb found lower IQ in children who remained institutionalised rather than fostered.

Question 4

Explain emotional development on deprivation

Answer 4

Affectionless psychopathy.
Inability to experience guilt or strong emotion. Lack of remorse

Question 5

Describe the procedure of the 44 thieves study

Answer 5

44 criminal teens interviewed for signs of affectionless psychopathy. Families also interviewed to see of prolonged separation occurred. Control group also used.

Question 6

Describe the findings of the 44 thieves study

Answer 6

14/44 thieves could be described as an affectionless psychopath. Of this 14, 12 had experienced prolonged separation as a child.

Control 2/44 had experienced separation

Question 7

Explain how this theory has poor evidence (AO3)

Answer 7

Bowlby drew on maternal deprivation studies including war orphans etc. flawed evidence as war orphans traumatised and had poor care.

Bowlby carried out the 44 thieves study which means the research is biased.

Question 8

Counterevidence for 44 thieves study. (AO3)

Answer 8

Lewis;

Replicated 44 thieves study on a larger scale (500). Early prolonged separation did not predict criminality or difficulty performing close relationships

Question 9

Describe one limitation of the critical period (AO3)

Answer 9

Used critical period as believed separation caused damage. Later research showed damage is not inevitable. Severe separation can have a good outcome if providing good aftercare etc…. (Can be redeemed)

More like a sensitive period