Lesson 10- Bowlby’s theory of maternal deprivation

Question 1

What was the maternal deprivation theory & when did it come about?

Answer 1

Maternal deprivation theory (1951):

- Maternal deprivation- extended separations from mother in early childhood-> loss of element of mother’s care

Question 2

What was the key focus of the maternal deprivation theory?

Answer 2

Focused on idea that continual nurturing from 🤰/🤰-substitute essential for normal psychological 🧠 development of 👶

Question 3

What is the difference between separation & deprivation?

Answer 3

NOTE- separation (child ✖️ in presence of primary attachment figure- usually temporary) ✖️ same as deprivation

Question 4

What is the critical period for maternal deprivation to have an impact on psychological development?

Answer 4

Critical period - 1st 30 months of life to have maternal care for psychological 🧠 development

Question 5

What does maternal deprivation affect?

Answer 5

1) Intellectual development

2) Emotional development

Question 6

How does maternal deprivation lead to problems with intellectual development & what evidence is there to support this?

Answer 6

Intellectual development – Bowlby believed if 👶 deprived of 🤰 care too long-> delayed intellectual development (low IQ) There were many studies to support this claim
- EVIDENCE- Goldfarb (1947)- found that 👶 in institutions had ⬇️ IQs than fostered counterparts

Question 7

How does maternal deprivation lead to problems with emotional development?

Answer 7

Emotional development- Bowlby believed if 👶- deprived of 🤰 care too long-> becoming ‘affectionless psychopaths’ (inability to experience guilt/strong emotion for others- prevents person developing normal relationships- associated with criminality as ✖️ appreciate feelings of victims … lack remorse for actions)

Question 8

What evidence is there to support the maternal deprivation hypothesis?

Answer 8

44 Thieves study (1944)

Question 9

What method was used in the 44 thieves study investigating maternal deprivation?

Answer 9

Method:

1) 44 criminal teenagers accused of stealing interviewed for signs of affectionless psychopathy (lack of affection, guilt & empathy)
2) Families also interviewed (see whether teenagers had prolonged early separations from 🤰 (maternal deprivation)
3) Control group of non-criminal BUT emotionally disturbed teenagers used to compare if they also suffered maternal deprivation

Question 10

What were the findings of the 44 thieves study investigating maternal deprivation?

Answer 10

Findings:
1) 14/44 thieves (30%) described as ‘affectionless psychopaths’
2) 12/14 (86%) experienced prolonged separations from 🤰 during critical period

Question 11

What was the conclusion of 44 thieves study investigating maternal deprivation?

Answer 11

Conclusion:

… Bowlby concluded that maternal deprivation caused affectionless psychopathy

Question 12

What are the evaluation points of the maternal deprivation hypothesis?

Answer 12

👎- Poor evidence- Bowlby used orphaned 👶 during WW2, 👶 growing in poor quality orphanages & 44 thieves study
… evidence flawed as War-orphans traumatised & had poor after care … these factors may have caused psychological 🧠 difficulties rather than separation
ALSO- 👶 in poor quality institutions generally deprived of all care & ✖️ just 🤰 care
In 44 thieves study Bowlby himself carried out interviews with thieves & families … shown bias in what he was aiming to find
👍- Animal studies show maternal deprivation effects- maternal deprivation has long-term effects- e.g. Levy et al (2003) showed separating baby 🐀 from 🤰 even for 1 day had permanent effect on their social development BUT ✖️ other aspects of development … grain of truth in MDH BUT ✖️ as severe as Bowlby claimed
👎- Effects of 🤰 deprivation reversible- Bowlby argued that if maternal deprivation experienced during critical period then effects irreversible BUT Kulochova (1976) reported case of twin boys- isolated from 18 months to 7 years old (locked in cupboard during this period) BUT after taken care of by 2 loving adults & appeared to recover fully … MD during critical period ✖️ always lead to long term/permanent psychological 🧠 damage
👎- Failure to distinguish between deprivation & privation- Rutter (1981) claimed that Bowlby confused 2 concepts together- ‘deprivation’ (loss of attachment figure after attachment developed & ‘privation’ (failure to form attachment at all)- … Rutter claimed that severe long term damage Bowlby associated with deprivation actually ⬆️ likely due to privation