Bowlby’s Theory of Maternal Deprivation

Question 1

What did Bowlby propose about children who suffered maternal deprivation?

Answer 1

• Those who suffered prolonged emotional deprivation caused by absence of primary attachment figure (usually mother) would suffer
• They would have long-term intellectual impairing (Low IQ)
• Social delinquency
• Lack of emotional development (affectionless psychopathy)
• Mental health issues (depression)

Question 2

• What were the long-term implications?

Answer 2

• According to the Continuity hypothesis these effects are irreversible and will continue to adulthood
• This is due to a lack of an internal working model, which could lead to being a poor parent

Question 3

When would this occur?

Answer 3

• Negative impact of deprivation would occur if separation occurs before the child is two and a half years old (critical period)
• There is a risk of up to five years old (sensitive period) if there is no substitute for the mother-figure for emotional care of the child

Question 4

How did Bowlby research into this?

Answer 4

• He analysed case histories of patients in the Child Guidance Clinic, all of whom were emotionally maladjusted
• He studied 88 of these children, half were caught stealing (44 thieves)
• Other half were a control group
• Bowlby suggested 14 were affectionless psychopaths, they lacked affection, shame and responsibility for their actions

Question 5

What were his findings?

Answer 5

• Those who were affectionless psychopaths suffered early separations from their mothers
• 12 of the affectionless psychopaths had experiences frequent separations compared to 5/30 thieves who were not classed as affectionless psychopaths
• Almost none of the control groups suffered early separations from their mothers

Question 6

What are some strengths of Bowlby’s theory?

Answer 6

Hospital Reform
South America
Physical and IQ scores

Question 7

Hospital Reform (+)

Answer 7

• Before Bowlby’s study parents were not allowed to visit their children
• This damaged the child
• Nowadays parents are encouraged to stay in hospital with their children

Question 8

South America (+)

Answer 8

• Analysed children raised in poor quality orphanages in South America
• Members of staff were overworked, undertrained and rarely gave children love and affection
• Caused the children to display anaclitic depression (loss of appetite, sleeplessness and sadness)

Question 9

Physical and IQ scores (+)

Answer 9

• Found children in institutions that were only looked after physically scored poorly on IQ tests
• However once transferred to a different institution with more emotional care their IQ score improved by 30 points

Question 10

What are some weaknesses of Bowlby’s theory?

Answer 10

Tizard et al
Lack of distinguishing
Determinism

Question 11

Tizard et al (-)

Answer 11

• Showed maternal deprivation to be reversible
• Children who never formed attachments and were adopted at 4 were still able to form attachments

Question 12

Lack of distinguishing

Answer 12

• Does not distinguish between deprivation, when the attachment figure is lost
• And privation, when the child has never formed an attachment
• It is entirely possible that it is the latter that produces the extreme negative effects in studies

Question 13

Determinism

Answer 13

Continuity Hypothesis