Bowlby's Theory of maternal Deprivation Flashcards
A01
Define Maternal Deprivation
The emotional & intellectual consequences of separation between a child and their mother.
A01
Outline Bowlby’s theory of Maternal Deprivation
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)
A01
Define Separation
Child not being in presence of primary attachment figure
A01
Define deprivation
Continued & prolonged separation from primary attachment figure
A01
Define Privation
Failure to form attachment at all
most common causes of privation has been institutional care.
A01
Outline Critical period ( Bowlby)
2.5 years
>Deprivation from mothers emotional care during critical period- harmful effects on child’s emotional & intellectual development
> then psychological damage is inevitable
A01
What are the Effects of maternal deprivation on development
- Intellectual development-low IQ
- Emotional development-Affectionless psychopaths
A01
Outline the effects maternal deprivation has on the Intellectual development (Goldfarb-adoption study)
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
A01
2 Outline the effects Maternal deprivation has on emotional development
being deprived of a mother figure emotinal care affects childrens emotional development
Affectionless psychopathy- The inability to experience strong emotions or guilt, associated with criminality
A01
What did Bowlby’s Research examine?
Bowlby’s 44 thieves study
examined link between affectionless psychopaths & maternal deprivation
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.
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
A01
Outline the Findings of Bowlby’s 44 thieves study
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
A03
Bowlby’s theory of MD -Flawed Evidence & open to research bias
(Goldfarb)
Limitation
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
A03
Counterpoint for flawed evidnece-levy et al rats
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
A03
Explain confusion over Deprivation & privation
Limitation
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
A03
Critical period criticised Czech twins- better see CP as SP
Critical period vs sensitive period
> 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’.
