Evaluation: Maternal Deprivation

Question 1

What is the 1st strength to Maternal Deprivation?

Answer 1

Supporting evidence from animal studies:
- Levy et al (2003)

• Separating baby rats from mother = permanent affect on their social development

Question 2

What is the 1st limitation to Maternal Deprivation?

Answer 2

Methodological issues:

- Bowlby knew what he hoped to find = influenced the results

Question 3

What is the 2nd limitation to Maternal Deprivation?

Answer 3

Counter-evidence:
- Bowlby’s theory replicated with 500 young people

• This sample suggest prolonged maternal deprivation did not predict criminality or difficulty forming close relationships.