Developmental: Bowlby’s Maternal Deprivation Theory

Question 1

What did Bowlby claim?

Answer 1

That this first (monotropic) relationship provided the template for the foundation of all future attachments.

Question 2

What was Bowlbys maternal deprivation hypothesis?

Answer 2

• after WWII, Bowlby reported the mental health of homeless children in post-war Europe.
• claimed child who suffers disruption of attachment leading to deprivation during first 24 months, would develop an internal working model of themselves as unworthy (called maternal deprivation)
• also claimed that such broken attachment could lead to affectionless psychopathy, lower intelligence, delinquency and depression
• if attachment is lost, broken or never made, it will affect the person for the rest of their life
• ‘mother love in infancy is as important for psychological health as vitamins and minerals are for physical health’ - Bowlby

Question 3

What is Privation?

Answer 3

Not having the opportunity to form a bond in the first instance

Question 4

What is maternal deprivation?

Answer 4

A bond or attachment has been formed with the main caregiver, but has been disrupted for some reason

Question 5

What is separation?

Answer 5

Not being in the presence of the primary attachment figure. Only an issue if the child is deprived (e.g. they lose an element of their care). Extended separations can lead to deprivation.

Question 6

What is Robertson and Robertsons PDD model into short term separation?

Answer 6

Babies go through 3 stages when a caregiver leaves:
- Protest - child cries, screams and protests angrily when parent leaves, will try to cling to parent
- Despair - protesting stops and they appear calmer, although still upset. The child refuses others attempts for comfort and often seems withdrawn and uninterested in anything
- Detachment - if separation continues, the child will start to engage with other people again. They will reject the caregiver on their return and show strong signs of anger.

Question 7

What is long term deprivation?

Answer 7

Different to separation and most likely lead to maternal deprivation as opposed to just PDD (as in short term separation). Can mean permanent separation

Question 8

What are the 3 studies into the effects of privation?

Answer 8

• Tizard and Hodges, Genie and Czech twins

Question 9

What are the 3 studies into the effects of institutionalisation?

Answer 9

• Goldfarb, Spitz and Wolfe, Romanian Orphanages and Tizard and Hodges