Bowlby’s Theory Of Maternal Deprivation Evaluation Flashcards
How is the idea that simply physical separation leads to deprivation flawed?
Emotional separation can lead to deprivation too. Radke-Yarrow et al (1985) studied mothers who were severely depressed and found that 55% of their children were insecurely attached
This shows that a mother who is depressed can’t provide emotional care even though present physically, thus depriving her children of that care
What is the support for the long-term consequences of maternal deprivation?
Bifulco et al. (1992) studied women who experienced separation from mothers due to maternal death or temporary separation of more than a year.
About 25% of women later experienced depression or an anxiety order. Mental health problems greater in women whose loss occurred before age six.
Shows that earlier maternal deprivation results in increased vulnerability in the long term
How does Bowlby’s theory of maternal deprivation gave real world application?
Before his research, children were separated from parents when in hospital. Robertson (1952- Bowlby’s colleague) filmed a 2 year old called Laura who begged to go home in 8-day period alone in hospital. This completely changed how children are now looked after in hospitals as you can now visit freely
How are individual differences a limitation in Bowlby’s theory of maternal deprivation?
Barrett (1977) reviewed various studies on separation and concluded that securely attached children may sometimes cope reasonably well, whereas insecurely attached children become easily distressed. This led Bowlby to suggest that those children who coped better may have been more securely attached and therefore more resilient, showing individual differences affect the effects of deprivation.
How is Bowlby’s view on maternal deprivation criticised?
Rutter claimed that Bowlby didn’t make it clear whether the child’s attachment bond had formed but been broken, or never formed in the first place as an effect of deprivation.
This led him to use ‘privation’ to refer to situations where the child fails to develop an attachment with one caregiver and deprivation to refer to situations where a bond is developed and then lost through separation,
This lack of clarity in Bowlby’s definition of deprivation negatively affects the validity of research findings.
Explain how the 44 thieves study has design flaws?
There is a problem of investigator effects: Bowlby himself carried out the assessments for affectionless psychopathy and the family interviews, knowing what he wanted to find as it was his own theory.
How is the critical period poorly defined?
It’s actually more of a sensitive period
- some cases of severe deprivation have had good outcomes provided the child has some social interaction and good aftercare.
E.g in Koluchová (1976) the twin boys who were isolated from age of 18 months to 7 years in a cupboard fully recovered after being looked after by two loving adults
What is the counter-evidence for Bowlby’s findings from 44 thieves study?
Lewis (1954) replicated it on a large scale, 500 young people. In her sample, a history of early prolonged maternal separation from mother didn’t predict criminality or difficult forming close relationships
This suggests other factors may affect the long-term consequences of maternal deprivation
How is Bowlby’s theory of MD controversial?
Puts a lot of blame on the mother when there are sometimes circumstances when the mother has to separate from the infant
How does Bowlby’s theory of MD have some bias
Gender bias - the sample in the 44 thieves study only looked at boys
