PAPER 1 - ATTACHMENT - bowlbys theory of maternal deprivation Flashcards
what did Bowlby’s theory of maternal deprivation suggest?
suggested a link between separation and emotional maladjustment
what were the key assumptions of maternal deprivation?
- focuses on importance of continuous relationship between child & mother in early childhood (first 5 years)
- discontinuous relationships before age 2 1/2 disrupts the development of attachment relationship, leads to long term emotional disturbance
what would happen if an infant was unable to develop a warm, intimate and continuous relationship with their mother?
child would be at risk of serious, long term negative effects on social, emotional and intellectual development
what did bowlby suggest about separation from mother in early childhood could cause?
affectionless psychopathy
what is affectionless psychopathy?
inability to experience guilt, have deep feelings for others and causes lack of meaningful relationships
what is another affect of separation in childhood?
separation anxiety
how can separation anxiety manifest itself?
- increased aggressive behaviour
- clinging behaviour
- detachment
- fluctuations between detachment and clinging
- psychosomatic reactions
what did bowlby suggest the critical period was?
first 2 1/2 years to 5 years
what did bowlby suggest about emotional maladjustment?
it was irreversible and permanent and could result in juvenile delinquency
what could moderate negative effects of maternal deprivation?
substitute mothering
what was the key study that bowlby tested his maternal deprivation hypothesis?
the 44 thieves study (1944)
what is a criticism of Bowlby’s MDH?
- only mentions physical deprivation not emotional
- other researchers studied mothers that were severely depressed and that they could not emotionally care for the child
- shows that psychological separation can also lead to deprivation
what is a strength of Bowlby’s MDH?
- research led to major social change in how children are cared for in hospitals
- maternal deprivation doesn’t always lead to negative outcomes but increases likelihood, Bifulco supports Bowlby’s critical period
how did Bifulco support Bowlby’s critical period?
- studied women who had experienced separation from mothers either due to their death or temporary separation for more than a year
- found 25% later experienced depression or anxiety compared to 15% who had no separation
what was the aim of the 44 thieves study?
to test the maternal deprivation hypothesis