Bowlby's Theory of maternal Deprivation

Question 1

A01

Define Maternal Deprivation

Answer 1

The emotional & intellectual consequences of separation between a child and their mother.

Question 2

A01

Outline Bowlby’s theory of Maternal Deprivation

Answer 2

Proposed theory of maternal deprivation
>The continued presence of care from a mother/ mother substitute- essential for normal psychological development of babies , both emotionally& intellectually
> being seperated from mother in early childhood has negative consequences ( MD)

Question 3

A01

Define Separation

Answer 3

Child not being in presence of primary attachment figure

Question 4

A01

Define deprivation

Answer 4

Continued & prolonged separation from primary attachment figure

Question 5

A01

Define Privation

Answer 5

Failure to form attachment at all

most common causes of privation has been institutional care.

Question 6

A01

Outline Critical period ( Bowlby)

Answer 6

2.5 years
>Deprivation from mothers emotional care during critical period- harmful effects on child’s emotional & intellectual development
> then psychological damage is inevitable

Question 7

A01

What are the Effects of maternal deprivation on development

Answer 7

• Intellectual development-low IQ
• Emotional development-Affectionless psychopaths

Question 8

A01

Outline the effects maternal deprivation has on the Intellectual development (Goldfarb-adoption study)

Answer 8

Maternal deprivation affects children’s intellectual development
* Bolwby states if Deprived of maternal care during critical period- they experience delayed intellectual development, abnormally low IQ
* Goldfarb-found lower IQ in children in institutions as opposed to children in foster care-as has higher standards of emotional care

Question 9

A01

2 Outline the effects Maternal deprivation has on emotional development

being deprived of a mother figure emotinal care affects childrens emotional development

Answer 9

Affectionless psychopathy- The inability to experience strong emotions or guilt, associated with criminality

Question 10

A01

What did Bowlby’s Research examine?

Answer 10

Bowlby’s 44 thieves study
examined link between affectionless psychopaths & maternal deprivation

Question 11

A01

Outline the Procedure of Bowlby’s 44 thieves study

In order to assess the effects of maternal deprivation, Bowbly conducted his 44 juvenile thieves
study.

Answer 11

Study
>sample consisted of 44 criminal teenagers accused of stealing
> all ‘thieves’ interviewed for signs of affectionless psychopaths:

> families interviewed to establish whether thieves’ had prolonged separation from mothers
samle compared to control group of 44 non-criminals but emotionally disturbed ppl

Question 12

A01

Outline the Findings of Bowlby’s 44 thieves study

Answer 12

Bowlby’s found:
>14/44 thieves displayed signs of affectionless psychopaths
> 12 experienced maternal deprivation during critical period
>Compared to 5/30 ‘thieves’ who experienced separations
>only 2 participants in control group of 44 experienced long separations
>Concluded prolonged early separation/deprivation causes affectionless psychopathy

Question 13

A03

Bowlby’s theory of MD -Flawed Evidence & open to research bias
(Goldfarb)

Limitation

Answer 13

Bowlby’s 44 thieves study is flawed
* carried out family interviews & assessments for AP
* phrased interview qs in certain way i.e. leading questions.
* Left him open to research bias
* flawed as Bowlby influenced by Goldfarb’s research on development deprived children in orphanages
* Goldfarbs study problems with confounding variables:
As children experienced early trauma & institutional care, prolonged separation from PCG may of had larger influence on children’s development than MD
> thus Bowlby’s source of evidence has serious flaws

Question 14

A03

Counterpoint for flawed evidnece-levy et al rats

Answer 14

Levy et a(2003) research provided support for idea that MD can have long term effects
showed that seperating baby rats from their mother for a day had permannent effects on social development
thus although Bowlby relied on flawed evidence for support of MD , other sources provide evidence for his ideas

Question 15

A03

Explain confusion over Deprivation & privation

Limitation

Answer 15

Deprivation refers to loss of primary attachment figure after attachment has been formed
Privation-Failure to form an attachment in first place
Rutter-points out severe long term damage Bowlby associated with deprivation is likely to be result of privation
e.g children in 44 theives study had distrupted early lives & may never of formed a strong attachment
>Bowlby overestimated seriousness of the effects of deprivation on child’s development

Question 16

A03

Critical period criticised Czech twins- better see CP as SP

Critical period vs sensitive period

Answer 16

> For Bowlby damage is inevitable if child not formed attachment in first 2.5 years of critical period
But evidence suggests good quality aftercare can prevent damage.
Koluchova (1976) Research on Czech twins:
twins experienced severe physical & emotional abuse from age 18 month- 7 years old
however experience good aftercare & by teens recovered fully.
suggests lasting harm is not inevitable even in cases of severe privation
thus better to see critical period as ‘sensitive period’.