Bowlby's theory of maternal deprivation

Question 1

What did Bowlby suggest?

Answer 1

If an infant is unable to develop a warm, intimate relationship with its mother then they would have difficulty forming relationships.

Question 2

Define the term ‘affectionless psychopathy’.

Answer 2

Characterised by a lack of emotion for others and a lack of remorse for their actions.

Question 3

How many case histories were analysed?

Answer 3

88

Question 4

How many of the 88 children were thieves?

Answer 4

44 were accused of stealing, the other 44 formed a control group of non-criminals.

Question 5

How many of the 44 thieves were affectionless psychopathy?

Answer 5

32% (14)

Question 6

How many of the affectionless psychopaths had experienced prolonged maternal deprivation?

Answer 6

86% (12)

Question 7

What did Bowlby conclude?

Answer 7

Prolonged maternal deprivation cause affectionless psychopathy.

Question 8

Give an advantage of Bowlby’s 44 thieves study.

Answer 8

+High practical validity.
Robinson found that maternal substitution could prevent the harmful effects that come as a result of maternal separation.
This led to more careers for children in hospitals so it has high practical validity.

Question 9

Give a disadvantage of Bowlby’s 44 thieves study.

Answer 9

-Contradictory findings from Lewis.
He found that prolonged maternal deprivation didn’t predict future criminality, there may be other factors that cause a person to resort to criminality. Lewis’ study was more representative than Bowlby’s (bigger sample).

-Individual differences of children must be considered.
E.g. securely/insecurely attached children.

-Bowlby suggested the effects were irreversible.
Another psychologist suggested that with good quality, continuous care, the effects of affectionless psychopathy can be reversed.