Bowlby's theory of Maternal Deprivation

Question 1

What is essential for development according to Bowlby?

Answer 1

Continued emotional care from the mother

Question 2

What may separation from the mother lead to?

Answer 2

Maternal Deprivation

Question 3

What is Maternal Deprivation?

Answer 3

The emotional and intellectual consequences of separation between a child and their mother (or substitute)

Question 4

How do separation and deprivation differ?

Answer 4

Seperation = not in the presence of the PAF
Deprivation = losing an element of PAFs care as a result of separation
Seperation (if brief) may not always cause deprivation

Question 5

What did Bowlby say about the first 30 months?

Answer 5

This is the critical period for psychological development - separation in this period will lead to psych. damage

Question 6

What link did Bowlby make between deprivation and IQ?

Answer 6

He said babies who’d been deprived in the critical period would have mental retardation and lower IQs

Question 7

What link did Bowlby make between deprivation and Afffectionless Psychopathy?

Answer 7

Deprivation from a lack of emotional care could lead to Affectionless Psychopathy - inability to experience guilt and strong emotions for others

Question 8

What was Bowlby’s key study into Maternal Deprivation?

Answer 8

The 44 thieves study

Question 9

What was the aim of the 44 thieves study?

Answer 9

To investigate a possible link between Maternal Deprivation and AP

Question 10

What was the procedure for the 44 thieves study?

Answer 10

44 teenagers accused of stealing and their families were interviewed - assessed for affectionless psychopathy - correlated to whether they were separated or not (obtained by asking families)

Question 11

What were the findings for the 44 thieves study?

Answer 11

1. Out of 14 APs 12 had experienced prolonged separation

2. Out of 30 non-APs 5 had experienced prolonged separation

Question 12

What are the evaluation points for the 44 thieves study?

Answer 12

1. Counter-evidence - Lewis 1954 - replication with 500 ppl - no link between separation and criminality
2. Later research saw the critical period as more of a sensitive period - can attach after - e.g. the Czech twins
3. Animal Studies have shown the effects of Maternal Deprivation - Levy et al. (2003) - sep. baby rats from mothers - l-term effects