Bowlby's theory of maternal deprivation

Question 1

What is Bowlby’s theory of maternal deprivation?

Answer 1

Suggests that continuous emotional care from a mother or mother-substitute is essential for normal psychological development.

Idea that pro-longed seperation from the mother in infancy or childhood can cause serious long term psychological damage.

Question 2

What is the critical period of this theory?

Answer 2

• The first 2.5 years of life are critical for psychological development
• he also believed that up to the age of 5, there is a risk of psychological damage

Question 3

Research in maternal deprivation

Answer 3

• ‘a study of 44 juvenile thieves’

Question 3

Procedure of research into maternal deprivation

Answer 3

• Studied 88 children attending the child guidance clinic where he worked
• 44 of the children had been caught stealing
• these children were interviewed for signs of affectionless psychopathy
• Their families were also interviewed
• The sample was compared to a control group of 44 non-criminal teenagers

Question 4

Findings of research into maternal deprivation

Answer 4

• 14/44 thieves could be described as affectionless psychopaths
• 12/14 {86%} of the 14 had experienced prolonged seperations from their mother the first 2 years if their lives.
• In contrast, only 5/30 {17%} not classified as AP had experienced prolonged early seperations in their first 2 years of their life.

Question 5

Conclusion of research into maternal deprivation

Answer 5

• pro-longed early seperations cause affectionless psychopathy, which is characterised by the inability to experience guilt or strong emotions towards others.

Question 6

Effects of maternal deprivation

Answer 6

Intellectual deprivation
Affectionless psychopathy