Bowlbys theory of maternal deprivation Flashcards
what is the idea of maternal deprivation
The loss of an emotional bond/attachment with a primary caregiver
what did bowlby say
motherly love in infancy and childhood is as important for mental health as vitamins
and proteins for physical health
difference between separation and deprivation
-separation means child not in presence of PA figure
-only becomes problem if child is deprives of emotional care
what can lead to deprivation
extended periods of separation
what is the critical period for psychological development and what does this mean
-the first two and a half years of life
-if a child is separated from mother in absence of suitable substitute (deprived from emotional care) during long period, psychological damage is inevitable
what is the criteria for issues in psychological development
-if it happens before 2 and half years
-if there is no mother substitute
what creates a bond disruption
-separation and deprivation
separation definition vs deprivation definition
separation- distress when separated for a relatively short period of time from primary caregiver
Deprivation- occurs when an emotional bond that has been formed is broken
what are the two effects on development that maternal deprivation can have
-intellectual development
-emotional development
what is intellectual development
-children deprived during critical period would experience delayed intellectual development
-abnormally low IQ
how has intellectual development been studied
-studies of adoption
-Goldfarb found lower IQ in children who remained in institutions as opposed to those who were fostered
what is emotional development
-They have an inability to experience guilt or strong emotion to others
-called affectionless psychopathy
what does affectionless psychopathy mean for an individual
-prevents a person developing fulfilling relationships and is associated with criminality
-cannot appreciate feelings of victims and so lack remorse for their actions
what does bond disruption lead to
-emotional maladjustment
-mental health issues
what was Bowlby’s research
-the 44 thieves study
-examine link between affectionless psychopathy and maternal deprivation
what was the procedure of Bowlby’s research
-sample consisted of 44 criminal teenagers accused of stealing
-families interviewed to establish if there was prolonged early separation
-used unstructured interviews
-checklist to diagnose affectionless psychopathy
what was the sample in Bowlby’s research compared to
-a control group of 44 non criminal but emotionally disturbed young people
what was the findings of Bowlby’s research (sample group)
-14/44 thieves described as affectionless psychopaths
-12 of these had experienced prolonged separation from mothers in first 2 years of their lives
what was the findings of Bowlby’s research (control group)
-only 2/44 participants experienced long separations
what did Bowlby conclude from his research
-prolonged early separation/deprivation caused affectionless psychopathy
