Evaluate the 44 Juvenile Thieves study carried out by Bowlby (1944). (8)

Question 1

88 children were interviewed and a case history was built up for each of them.

Answer 1

Bowlby conducted the interviews himself so there may be researcher bias in the analysis.

Question 2

An independent social worker also conducted interviews and assessments of the children.

Answer 2

The use of an independent social worker increases the validity of the data as it is more likely to be accurate due to the impartial nature of the social worker.

Question 3

14 thieves were identified as having affectionless psychopathy, with 12 of those having experienced maternal deprivation.

Answer 3

The reason for the maternal deprivation could have been the cause of emotional problems, rather than the separation itself so the study lacks cause and effect.

Question 4

It was concluded that maternal deprivation affected emotional adjustment as only 2 of the non-affectionless psychopaths had not suffered maternal deprivation.

Answer 4

Bowlby’s findings led to better hospital policies with regard to parental visiting of their children, with parents being able to more frequently visit.