bowlby's theory of maternal deprivation

Question 1

what is meant by deprivation

Answer 1

the loss of emotional care that is normally provided by a primary caregiver

Question 2

outline the procedure of the juvenile thieves key study

Answer 2

• opportunity sample of 88 children
• 44 were juvenile thieves, others were a control
• each child had IQ tested by psychologist and emotional attitudes assessed
• social worker interviewed parents about early life of child
• initial interview conducted with child and accompanying adult

Question 3

outline the findings of the juvenile thieves key study

Answer 3

• over half of juvenile thieves separated for more than 6 months at a young age - only 2 in control group
• 14 young thieves showed affectionless psychopathology - none in control group
• 86% affectionless psychopaths in thieves group were had a long period of maternal separation before the age of 5
• 17% of thieves not diagnosed with affectionless psychopathology had experienced maternal separation - only 2 in control group had experienced this

Question 4

what is meant by affectionless psychopathology

Answer 4

not able to care about or feel affection for others

Question 5

outline the value of maternal care in Bowlby’s study

Answer 5

• previously believed a child would become a healthy individual if they were well fed and cared for
• Bowlby believed this wasn’t enough and children needed a warm, intimate and continuous relationship with a mother to ensure normal mental health

Question 6

outline the critical theory in Bowlby’s theory of maternal deprivation

Answer 6

• child may become emotionally distressed if experiencing prolonged separation
• only have this effect if separation happens before the age of 2 and a half years and if there is no substitute mother available
• felt there was a continuing risk until the age of 5

Question 7

outline the long term consequences of Bowlby’s theory of maternal deprivation

Answer 7

• continual disruption of attachment between infant and caregiver could result in long term mental difficulties for that child
• effects originally thought to be permanent and irreversible
• delinquency, reduced intelligence, increased aggression, depression, affectionless psychopathology

Question 8

outline a limitation of Bowlby’s theory of maternal deprivation in terms of deprivation and privation

Answer 8

• may fail to separate factors so could be oversimplified
• Rutter argues there are three circumstances that Bowlby overlooked which all have different long term effects
• may lack usefulness as consequences may not be applicable to all scenarios

Question 9

outline a practical application of Bowlby’s maternal deprivation theory

Answer 9

• highlights importance of positive attachment experiences and maintaining monotropic bond which has helped develop childcare practices
• daycare centres assign caregivers to children and hospital visiting hours allow children to maintain contact with their parents