Bowlby's theory of maternal deprivation

Question 1

define deprivation

Answer 1

to be deprived is to lose something- in context of child development it refers to the loss of an emotional care that is normally provided by the primary caregiver

Question 2

outline the procedure of Bowlby’s 44 thieves study

Answer 2

1) Bowlby analysed case histories of a number of his patients where he worked
2) all children were emotionally maladjusted
3) he studies 88 of the children where 44 were caught stealing and the other 44 were the control
4) he suggested that some of the thieves were affectionless psychopaths who lacked shame and responsibility

Question 3

outline the findings of Bowlby’s 44 thieves study

Answer 3

• found individuals diagnosed as affectionless psychopaths an frequent separations from the mother during childhood
• 86% of 44
• almost non of the control experienced early separations

Question 4

outline how the 44 thieves study highlighted the value of maternal care

Answer 4

1) before this study no one considered the long-term importance of separation on children
2) it was believed that a good standard of food and physical care was they key importance of good care
3) Bowlby found that infants need a warm, intimate and continuous relationship with the mother for normal mental health- it wasn’t enough to keep them warm and fed

Question 5

explain the importance of the critical period in Bowlby’s theory of maternal deprivation

Answer 5

1) he believed a young child denied a warm, intimate and continuous relationship with the mother would become emotionally disturbed
2) However this only occurred if separation was during the critical period before the age of 2 1/2 years
3) potential damage could be avoided if suitable emotional care is provided by a mother substitute

Question 6

what are the long term consequences of maternal deprivation

Answer 6

1) emotional maladjustment ie depression

Question 7

evaluate Bowlby’s theory of maternal deprivation

Answer 7

1) real world application- has a positive impact on post war thinking about childrearing and how children are looked after in hospitals- children would be separated from parents when they spent time in hospital and visiting was discouraged. research found children would become emotionally distressed during this period. Bowlby’s research lead to major social change in child care in hospital
2) physical vs emotional separation- it was assumed that physical separation is the cause but it is also emotional. research studies mothers who were depressed and found 55% of their children were insecurely attached vs 29% in the non-depressed group
3) deprivation vs privation= Bowlby’s work has been critised through the view of deprivation- it was said he did not make it clear if the child attachment bond had formed but been broken or never formed in the first place. Rutters view was the lack of a bond was far more serious than the loss of a bond. The lack of clarity in Bowlby’s definition of deprivation may negatively effect validity of findings