Classic Research: Bowlby [44 Juvenile Thieves]

Question 1

Describe the methodology of Bowlby’s research.

Answer 1

• Case studies
• Relationship between childhood development and juvenile delinquency
• 31 boys 13 girls: London Child Guidance clinic aged between 5 and 17
• only a few had been charged for thieving
• CG emotionally disturbed but didn’t steal
• Mothers of all 88 interviewed
• Grade 1: 4 thieves
• Grade 2: 8
• Grade 3: 10
• Grade 4: 22
• Average intelligence, 2 less than 85. 15 more than 114.

Question 2

Describe the procedures of Bowlby’s research

Answer 2

• Opportunity sample
• Initial exam when arrived (Binet scale for IQ)
• Emotional attitude by psychologist
• Social worker interviewed mothers, early psychiatric history
• Reported to Bowlby who acted as a psychiatrist, interviewed for 2 hours
• School & medial reports collected
• 6 months or more kids met with psychiatrist weekly
• Detailed case history and diagnosis given if with psychiatrist

Question 3

Describe the general findings of Bowlby’s research

Answer 3

• Normal: 2
• Depressed: 9
• Circular (alternating hyperactivity and depression): 2
• Hyperthymic (optimistic/overactive): 13
• Affectionless: 14
• Schizoid: 4

Question 4

CHARLOTTE ONLY
Describe the case studies of Bowlby’s research

Answer 4

• Nansi F: 9 months in hospital. Indifferent, detached and preoccupied with faults. Stole from charity box and teacher, ‘systematically swindled’ brother. No remorse.
• Marjorie D: Adopted at 20 months by country people, spoilt. Affectionless, desire to please. Stole from parents and ate brother’s easter eggs. “Has the right to anything she desires”.

Question 5

Describe the detailed findings of Bowlby’s research

Answer 5

• 40% prolonged maternal deprivation
• 12/14 affectionless had frequent separations
• 17/44 separation cases resulted in stealing, but rest had bad home lives.
• 93% of affectionless were persistent thieves
• 5/27 non mother separation had hostile fathers
• In non-affecrionless, rare separations
• No affectionless in control group

Question 6

Describe the 4 conclusions of Bowlby’s research

Answer 6

• Confirm the general psychoanalytic assumption that early years are important to character development
• Juvenile crime linked to social and economic factors too. All equally important
• The earlier a diagnosis, better it is for treatment
• A better approach is prevention rather than a cure. Sometimes unavoidable mother separations happen, but if carers are aware of potential damage, strategies csn be implemented to provide a good substitute for emotional carem

Question 7

AIMEE ONLY Describe the case studies of Bowlby

Answer 7

Kenneth G
- 5 months w/ mum @ hostel
- Remarried & MH issues
- More children after, he was put in Foster care
- Rude to family and other children, burnt sisters leg
- Stole from mother, off and om from age 5

Derek B
- Hospitalised for 9 months at 15 months, no visits
- Refused all food and left to starve when he returned
- Always fighting and destructive of brothers toys
- stole from kids, shops and mother from age 4 ½