PAPER 1 - ATTACHMENT - bowlbys theory of maternal deprivation

Question 1

what did Bowlby’s theory of maternal deprivation suggest?

Answer 1

suggested a link between separation and emotional maladjustment

Question 2

what were the key assumptions of maternal deprivation?

Answer 2

• 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

Question 3

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

Answer 3

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

Question 4

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

Answer 4

affectionless psychopathy

Question 5

what is affectionless psychopathy?

Answer 5

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

Question 6

what is another affect of separation in childhood?

Answer 6

separation anxiety

Question 7

how can separation anxiety manifest itself?

Answer 7

• increased aggressive behaviour
• clinging behaviour
• detachment
• fluctuations between detachment and clinging
• psychosomatic reactions

Question 8

what did bowlby suggest the critical period was?

Answer 8

first 2 1/2 years to 5 years

Question 9

what did bowlby suggest about emotional maladjustment?

Answer 9

it was irreversible and permanent and could result in juvenile delinquency

Question 10

what could moderate negative effects of maternal deprivation?

Answer 10

substitute mothering

Question 11

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

Answer 11

the 44 thieves study (1944)

Question 12

what is a criticism of Bowlby’s MDH?

Answer 12

• 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

Question 13

what is a strength of Bowlby’s MDH?

Answer 13

• 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

Question 14

how did Bifulco support Bowlby’s critical period?

Answer 14

• 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

Question 15

what was the aim of the 44 thieves study?

Answer 15

to test the maternal deprivation hypothesis

Question 16

what was the procedure of the 44 thieves study?

Answer 16

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

Question 17

what were the findings of the 44 thieves study?

Answer 17

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

Question 18

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

Answer 18

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

Question 19

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

Answer 19

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

Question 20

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

Answer 20

Securely attached children cope well as they are resilient