PAPER 1 - ATTACHMENT - bowlbys theory of maternal deprivation Flashcards

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1
Q

what did Bowlby’s theory of maternal deprivation suggest?

A

suggested a link between separation and emotional maladjustment

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2
Q

what were the key assumptions of maternal deprivation?

A
  • 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
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3
Q

what would happen if an infant was unable to develop a warm, intimate and continuous relationship with their mother?

A

child would be at risk of serious, long term negative effects on social, emotional and intellectual development

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4
Q

what did bowlby suggest about separation from mother in early childhood could cause?

A

affectionless psychopathy

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5
Q

what is affectionless psychopathy?

A

inability to experience guilt, have deep feelings for others and causes lack of meaningful relationships

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6
Q

what is another affect of separation in childhood?

A

separation anxiety

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7
Q

how can separation anxiety manifest itself?

A
  • increased aggressive behaviour
  • clinging behaviour
  • detachment
  • fluctuations between detachment and clinging
  • psychosomatic reactions
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8
Q

what did bowlby suggest the critical period was?

A

first 2 1/2 years to 5 years

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9
Q

what did bowlby suggest about emotional maladjustment?

A

it was irreversible and permanent and could result in juvenile delinquency

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10
Q

what could moderate negative effects of maternal deprivation?

A

substitute mothering

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11
Q

what was the key study that bowlby tested his maternal deprivation hypothesis?

A

the 44 thieves study (1944)

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12
Q

what is a criticism of Bowlby’s MDH?

A
  • 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
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13
Q

what is a strength of Bowlby’s MDH?

A
  • 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
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14
Q

how did Bifulco support Bowlby’s critical period?

A
  • 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
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15
Q

what was the aim of the 44 thieves study?

A

to test the maternal deprivation hypothesis

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16
Q

what was the procedure of the 44 thieves study?

A

44 - control group
44 - experimental group (thieves)
questionnaire - correlational

17
Q

what were the findings of the 44 thieves study?

A
  • 14/44 thieves were affectionless psychopaths
  • 86% of the 14 experiences frequent separations as a child
18
Q

what are the criticisms of Bowlby’s 44 thieves study?

A

1) Cause and effect not established as other variables may have affected results
2) Researcher bias
3) Emotional separation not mentioned
4) Social desirability bias - interview from parents
5) Lack of clarity - deprivation or privation

19
Q

What are 2 strengths of Bowlby’s 44 thieves study?

A

1) Bifulco research supports critical period- mental health problems greater in women who experienced separation <6
2) Major social changes e.g. care in hospitals

20
Q

How can individual differences be discussed when evaluating the 44 thieves study?

A

Securely attached children cope well as they are resilient