Bowlby's Theory of Maternal Deprivation

Question 1

define deprivation

Answer 1

when there is a prolonged interruption/disruption of the attachment between a child and a primary caregiver

Question 2

Bowlby’s maternal deprivation theory

Answer 2

• focuses on the negative consequences for the child as a result of deprivation
• the consequences became worse the longer the period of deprivation, and/or if that deprivation occurs during the critical period

Question 3

intellectual development

Answer 3

consequences for intellect if a child is unable to form a secure attachment during the critical period are delayed intellectual development

Question 4

how is delayed intellectual development characterised?

Answer 4

abnormally low IQ

Question 5

emotional development

Answer 5

consequences of being unable to form a secure attachment during the critical period are becoming affectionless psychopaths (AP)

Question 6

how is emotional development characterised?

Answer 6

• lack of guilt, empathy, and emotions
• more likely to be engaged in criminal behaviour (and show no remorse)

Question 7

what was the aim of the 44 juvenile thieves?

Answer 7

wanted to find out if there was a link between maternal deprivation and affectionless behaviour

Question 8

44 juvenile thieves

Answer 8

88 case studies of children from his own clinic
- 44 receiving treatment for emotional problems (control group)
- 44 court-ordered therapy as punishment
- interviewed them, their families, gave them IQ test, read their school reports

Question 9

key findings of the 44 juvenile theives

Answer 9

• 14/44 were labelled as AP (0/44 in the control)
• only 2/44 were considered ‘normal’
• 12/14 experienced prolonged separation during critical period
• in total 17/44 suffered maternal deprivation - 2/44 in control group
• 13/14 were grade 4 offenders, other was g3

Question 10

strengths of bowlbys theory

Answer 10

Real world application
- before children were left In hospital for up to months w/o contact with parents, now changed
Research support for long term effects
- bifulco found 25% of women who experienced deprivation developed depression or anxiety

Question 11

limitation of bowlbys theory

Answer 11

Ignore individual differences
- Barrett found effects of deprivation are worse if they’re insecurely attached
Doesn’t distinguish between deprivation and privation
- Ruyter claimed Bowlby didn’t clarify if a bond was formed and broken, or had never formed in the first place