Bowlby’s Theory of Maternal Deprevation Flashcards
What does the maternal deprivation hypothesis suggest a link between?
Seperation and emotional maladjustment.
Explain the concept of a continuous relationship between a child and mother/mother figure (first 5 years).
- Relationships that are discontinuous, particularly before the child is two and a half, disrupt the development of attachment and can lead to emotional disturbance.
What age did Bowlby suggest children were still at risk of disturbance from a discontinuous relationship?
5 and after the age of 5 he felt children were better able to cope with separation.
What did Bowlby suggest would happen to
children who weren’t able to develop a warm, intimate and continuous relationship with their mother?
The child was at risk of long term, negative effects on their social, emotional and intellectual development.
What did he suggest seperation from the mother in early childhood could lead to?
Affection less psychopathy.
What is affectionless psychopathy?
The inability to experience guilt, have deep feelings for others and as a consequence, have a lack of meaningful, interpersonal relationships.
Explain the assumption of separation anxiety as a result of separation in childhood.
This is the fear that seperation will occur again in the future and can manifest itself in many ways such as:
• increased aggressive behaviour
• clinging behaviour
• detachment
What is the hypothesis of maternal deprecation?
What will happen if an infant becomes separated from their attachment figure.
What was the critical period for developing a warm, continuous relationship?
The first 2.5 years but the risk continued up to 5 years.
What did Bowlby suggest the emotional maladjustment would be?
Permanent and irreversible and could result in juvenile delinquency.
