Evaluating Bowlby's Theory Of Maternal Deprivation

Question 1

Psychological and emotional separation

Marian Radke - Yarrow et al. (1985)

Answer 1

studied mothers who were severely depressed and found that 55% of their children were insecurely attached compared to 29% in the non-depressed group showing that psychological separation can also lead to deprivation

Question 2

Support for long term effects:

Antonio Bifulco et al. (1992)

Answer 2

studied women who had experienced temporary separation from their mothers and found that 25% later experienced depression or anxiety compared to 15% who had no experience of separation

Question 3

Real-World application: 
James Robertson (1952)

Answer 3

In the past, when children were in hospital, visiting was discouraged. James filmed a 2yr old girl, Laura, during her 8 day period in hospital and found that she was frequently distressed. This led to a social change where children are cared for better in hospitals

Question 4

Deprivation vs Privation:

Rutter

Answer 4

criticised Bowlby for not stating whether the child’s attachment formed but had been broken or never formed in be first place. Rutter viewed deprivation as the loss of an attachment and privation as the total lack of an attachment which has more serious consequences than deprivation