attachment - Bowlby's theory of maternal deprivation

Question 1

theory of maternal deprivation: AO1 points (1)

Answer 1

1. seperation VS deprivation
2. critical period
3. effects of maternal deprivation

Question 2

theory AO1: seperation VS deprivation (2)

Answer 2

• seperation: child not being in physical presence of primary CG
• deprivation: losing emotional care due to extended periods of seperation

Question 3

theory AO1: critical period (2)

Answer 3

• first 30 months of life
• maternal deprivation during those first 30 months = failure to form an attachment w a primary CG

Question 4

effects of maternal deprivation (2)

Answer 4

1. affectionless psychopathy (not caring how actions affect others)
2. abnormally low IQ

Question 5

Theory AO3 points (3)

Answer 5

✅ wider implications of the theory, eg for institutional care
- aware of the effects of maternal deprivation
- work to ensure that each child has one main carer that provides this emotional care that has been absent from childs life
- prevent further complications or try reverse them as best as possible
- aware of the specific effects so can create specific interventions to target the low IQ and affectionless psychopathy

❌ failure to distinguish between deprivation and privation (Rutter)
- deprivation refers to loss of primary attachment after an attchment figure has developed
- privation = failure to form any attachment in the first place
- this may take place when children are brought up in institutional care
- rutter pointed out that severe long term damage bowlby associated w deprivation is acc a result of privation
- Bowlby may have overestimated seriousness of effects of deprivation in childrens development
- in addition many of the adolescents in 44 thieves study had distrupted early lives and may never have been able to form strong attachments

✅ research support for effects of maternal deprivation - Bowlby’s 44 thieves
- 14/44 thieves diagnosed w affectionless psychopathy
- 12/14 experienced prolonged seperation from their mother
- shows that depriving mother of primary carer has very harmful and long lasting effects