Bowlbys Theory Of Maternal Deprivation AO1 + AO2

Question 1

What was bowlbys theory?

Answer 1

Mother-love is as important as vitamins.

Question 2

Maternal Deprivation

Answer 2

Prolonged separation between infant and primary attachment figure resulting in lack of emotional care.

Question 3

Effects of maternal deprivation in intellectual development - Goldfarb

Answer 3

Experience delayed intellectual development characterised by abnormally low IQ. This has been demonstrated in adoption studies. Goldfarb (1947) found lower IQ in children who had remained in institutions compared to those fostered.

Question 4

Effects on emotional development/ Affection-less psychopathy

Answer 4

Bowlby identified Affectionless psychopathy as the inability to experience guilt or strong emotions towards others. This prevents a person developing fulfilling relationships and is associated with criminality.

Question 5

44 Thieves study Procedure

Answer 5

44 criminal teenagers were assessed for signs of affectionless psychopathy. Families were also interviewed to establish whether the thieves had prolonged early separation from their primary attachment figures. Sample was compared to a control group of 44 non criminal but emotionally disturbed young people.

Question 6

44 thieves findings

Answer 6

14 out of 44 were described as afrectionless psychopaths. 12 of these had experienced prolonged separation from their mothers in the first two years of their lives. Bowlby concluded that prolonged early seperation caused affectionless psychopathy.

Question 7

Critical Period

Answer 7

The first 30 months of life. Or even 2 years