Privation Flashcards
what is privation?
When an attachment is never formed due to a lack of an attachment figure
The Czech twins (summary)
They suffered under the hands of their step-mother for 5.5 years. They were locked in a cellar and beaten until they were discovered at 7 years of age. When they were examined they hadn’t been taught how to speak, feared people and had an IQ of 40. Their stage of development was equivalent to a 3 year old.
Can privation be overcome?
The Czech twins (outcome)
They were fostered by a warm, caring mother. At the age of 11, they had developed normal speech. AT the age of 15, their emotional state and IQ were normal. At the age of 20, they both had jobs and were in secure relationships. This shows the effects of privation can be reversed.
EVAL of Czech twins (-)
They were twins so they always had each other so it may not be a case of privation, making the results about the reversibility of privation less valid.
Genie (summary)
Locked up, rarely spoken to (isolated), strapped to a potty chair and discovered at the age of 13.
Can privation be overcome?
Genie (outcome)
Curtiss found…
(-) not reversible because she didn’t develop typical language as she couldn’t develop grammar/syntax beyond the capability of a toddler.
(+) she did develop some language as she was able to say basic words.
(+) developed some attachment to key figures such as researchers who were investigating her
Genie EVAL (-)
(-) Genie’s condition was a case study and was vey unique so you cannot generalise the results about the reversibility of privation to the wider population.
(-) EEG scans revealed that Genie may have had learning difficulties from birth, meaning that the difficulties she faced could be down to that rather than privation
