Theory Of Maternal Deprivation Flashcards
What is Bowlby’s theory of maternal deprivation?
The idea that continual presence of nurture from a caregiver is essential for normal psychological development of the infant. This means prolonged separation from the primary caregiver can have a detrimental effect on the emotional and intellectual development of an infant.
State two areas of development affected by maternal deprivation.
Emotional development (affectionless psychopathy) and intellectual development.
Define affectionless psychopathy.
Inability to experience guilt or emotions for others. It is associated with criminality.
Separation vs privation definitions
Distress when physically separated for a relatively short period of time from primary caregiver
vs
Prolonged separation between child and caregiver so an element of care is taken away
Describe a study which shows a link between maternal deprivation and poor intellectual development.
Goldfarb
Group 1- first few months in orphanage and then fostered. Group 2- First 3 years in orphanage and then fostered. IQ tested up until age of 12.
Describe the findings of Goldfarb’s study.
Group 2 performed less well on IQ test (68) compared to group 1 (96). Group 2 children also likely to be less social and more aggressive.
Name the study which shows a link between maternal deprivation and poor emotional development?
Bowlby’s 44 Thieves (1944).
Describe the procedure of Bowlby’s 44 thieves study.
Case studies completed on backgrounds of 44 teenage delinquents who were referred to clinic because they had been stealing. Interviewed for signs of affectionless psychopathy and families interviewed to assess extent to which there was early prolonged separation from mothers.
Describe the findings of Bowlby’s 44 thieves study.
17 of the thieves had experienced frequent separations from mother before age of 2.
14 thieves diagnosed as affectionless psychopaths. Out of these 14, 12 had experienced prolonged separation from mothers in the first 2 years of their lives. Long-term separation from main caregiver early in life can have harmful consequences.
2 Strengths of Bowlby’s Theory of Maternal Deprivation
Real-world application:
Bowlby’s theory had an enormous, positive impact on post-war thinking about childrearing and also on how children were looked after in hospitals.
Before Bowlby’s research, children were separated from parents when they spent time in hospital. Visiting was discouraged or even forbidden.
Abundance of supporting research
- Goldfarb= effects on IQ
- Bowlby’s 44 thieves= effects on emotional
development.
- Animal studies= Harlow’s monkeys
2 Limitations of Theory of Maternal Deprivation
Deprivation vs. privation: Michael Rutter (1981) criticised Bowlby’s view of deprivation, and claimed he was muddling two concepts together à drew a distinction between deprivation and privation: Deprivation= loss of primary attachment figure after the attachment has developed. Privation= failure to form any attachment in the first place Rutter believed that the severe long-term damage Bowlby associated with deprivation is actually more likely to be the result of privation.
Physical and emotional separation: Focus on the impact of physical separation on development, but emotional separation may also have an effect. E.g. a mother who is depressed may be physically present, yet unable to provide suitable emotional care, thus depriving her children of that care. Radke-Yarow et al. (1985)= studied mothers who were severely depressed. Findings= 55% of their children were insecurely attached compared to only 29% in the non-depressed group.
