Bowlby's theory of maternal Deprivation

Question 1

What is maternal Deprivation ?

Answer 1

The emotional and intellectual consequences of separation between a child and his/her mother or mother subsitute.

Question 2

What does the theory focus on ?

Answer 2

The theory focuses on the idea that continuous presence and care from the mother is essential for normal psychological development.

Question 3

What can separation in early childhood cause

Answer 3

Maternal deprivation.

Question 4

Separation v Deprivation

Answer 4

Separation : The child is not in the presence of the primary attachment caregiver.
Deprivation : Extended periods of separation can lead to deprivation ( harm )

Question 5

What is the critical period for psychological development

Answer 5

First 30 months of life,
If a child is separated in the absence of their mother + deprived of emotional care during the critical period - > psychological damage is inevitable

Question 6

How does maternal deprivation have an effect on development ?

Answer 6

Emotional development and intellecual development

Question 7

Intellectual development

Answer 7

-If children are deprived of maternal care for too long they suffer mental retardation.
-Abnormally low IQ
-Goldfarb (1947) found lower IQ in children whi remained in istitutuons compared to those fostered.

Question 8

Emotional development

Answer 8

-Affectionless psychopathy as the inability to experience guilt or strong emotions for others.
-This prevents the person from developing normal relationships and is associated with criminality

Question 9

What was Bowlbys 44 thieves study ?

Answer 9

The study examined the link between affectionless psychopaths and maternal deprivation

Question 10

Procedure of 44 thieves study :

Answer 10

44 criminal teenagers accused of stealing.
- ‘Thieves were interviewed for signs of affectionless psychopathy ; lack of affection , lack of guilt and lack of empathy for their victims.
-Families were also interviewed to establish if they had prolonged periods of separation from their mothers.
- A control group of non-criminals but emotional disturbed young people were set up to see how often maternal deprivation occurred in those who were not thieves

Question 11

Findings of the study :

Answer 11

14/44 would be described as emotionless psychopaths
-12/14 experienced prolonged separation from their mothers in the first 2 years of their life.
5/30 remaining had experienced separations.
Control group - 2/44 had experiences long separations.

Question 12

What was concluded from the study

Answer 12

Prolonged periods of early separation / deprivation caused affectionless psychopathy.