maternal deprivation

Question 1

define maternal deprivation

Answer 1

separation from attached figure

Question 2

what are the consequences of maternal deprivation

Answer 2

• inability to form attachments
• affection less psychopathy
• delinquency

Question 3

outline the 44 thieves study

Answer 3

m: 44 thieves compared to 44 non thieves from delinquency centre showed more had early separation issues than affection less psychopathy
r: 17/44 thieves had prolonged separation from mothers; 15/44 thieves classified as affection less psychopaths; 2/44 non-thieves experiences no separation
c: maternal deprivation in child’s early life caused permanent emotional damage as well as low achievement in school

Question 4

evaluate the maternal deprivation theory

Answer 4

A: practical application: importance of positive attachment experiences and maintaining monotropic bond in first 5 years- improvement in childcare practice developed through assigning each child with caregiver in institutionalised setting + some national governments offering financial support for young families with maternity and paternity leave-> theory enforced real changes so children can have little separation from caregivers
C: reductionist: Rutter suggested Bowlby failed to distinguish between separation, loss and lack of attachment
C: retrospective recall inaccurate: adolescent participants recalled separations they experienced years earlier- distortion of memory can affect accuracy of experience