Bowlby's theory of maternal deprivation

Question 1

What did Bowlby determine as the critical period?

Answer 1

0-2.5 yrs

Question 2

What did Bowlby determine as the sensitive period?

Answer 2

0-5 years

Question 3

What intellectual effects on development did Bowlby find maternal deprivation had?

Answer 3

atypically low IQ
Evidence: Goldfarb dound lower IQ in children who stayed in institutions compared to fostered children

Question 4

What emotional effects on development did Bowlby find maternal deprivation had?

Answer 4

Affectionless psychopathy- inability to experience guilt/strong emotions towards others
person therefore unable to develop fulfilling relationships

lack of empathy/remorse for actions- can lead to criminal behaviour

Question 5

Describe Bowlby’s research on maternal deprivation

Answer 5

Control group: 44 non-criminal, emotionally-disturbed teens

Thieves: 44 criminal teens accused of stealing

Question 6

Describe the findings from Bowlby’s research?

Answer 6

control:
2/44 who had experienced prolonged separation as children, were classed with having psychopath tendencies

non-control:
14/44 classed as affectionless psychopaths
12/14 had experienced prolonged separation in the first two years of their life

Question 7

What did Bowlby conclude?

Answer 7

maternal deprivation can lead to affectionless psycopathy

Question 8

Describe supporting evidence for this theory (+)

Answer 8

Bowlby’s own research and findings support the idea that continual presence of care from amother/mother subsitute is essential for normal psychological development

Question 9

Describe criticisms of Bowlby’s research (-)

Answer 9

this research relies on self-report data

families were questioned whcih could lead to a demonstration of social-desirability bias and provide subjective results

Question 10

Describe the case of the Czech twins (opposing theory)(-)

Answer 10

Both twins suffered emotionl and physical abuse until they were 7 years old

They recovered fully from the trauma

Question 11

Describe the application of this theory (+)

Answer 11

allows social intervention where necessary to allow children to form healthy, emotion-based primary attachments

reduces risk of affectionless psychopathy, therefore reduced risk of criminal behaviour

benefits socially and financially

Question 12

Is this theory reductionistic?

Answer 12

Yes
Bowlby doesnt distinguish between correlation and causation
As well as lacking a clear distinction between deprivation and privation