Bowlby's theory of maternal deprivation

Question 1

What is maternal deprivation?

Answer 1

The emotional and intellectual consequences of separation between a child and his/her mother or mother-substitute.

Maternal deprivation can lead to significant developmental issues in children.

Question 2

Who proposed the theory of maternal deprivation?

Answer 2

Bowlby

Bowlby emphasized the importance of a continuous mother figure for healthy psychological development.

Question 3

What does Bowlby suggest is essential for normal psychological development?

Answer 3

Continuous care from a mother.

Bowlby believed that this care is crucial for emotional security.

Question 4

What are the consequences of prolonged separation from a mother figure, according to Bowlby?

Answer 4

Serious damage to emotional and intellectual development.

This damage can manifest in various behavioral and cognitive issues.

Question 5

Who is known for the monotropic theory of attachment?

Answer 5

John Bowlby

Question 6

What is the main premise of Bowlby’s theory of maternal deprivation?

Answer 6

The continual presence of care from a mother or mother-substitute is essential for normal psychological development of babies and toddlers

Question 7

According to Bowlby, what is as important for mental health as vitamins and proteins are for physical health?

Answer 7

‘Mother-love in infancy and childhood’

Question 8

What are the serious consequences of being separated from a mother in early childhood?

Answer 8

Maternal deprivation

Question 9

What is the distinction between separation and deprivation?

Answer 9

Separation means not being in the presence of the primary attachment figure; deprivation involves the lack of emotional care

Question 10

Under what conditions can separation lead to deprivation?

Answer 10

If the child is deprived of emotional care, even if the mother is present

Question 11

What type of separations are not significant for development?

Answer 11

Brief separations with a substitute caregiver who can provide emotional care

Question 12

What did Bowlby identify as a critical period for psychological development?

Answer 12

The first two-and-a-half years of life

Question 13

What happens if a child is deprived of maternal emotional care during the critical period?

Answer 13

Psychological damage is inevitable

Question 14

What impact does maternal deprivation have on intellectual development?

Answer 14

Delayed intellectual development, characterized by abnormally low IQ

Question 15

What did William Goldfarb’s study (1947) reveal about children in institutions?

Answer 15

They had lower IQ compared to those who were fostered with higher emotional care

Question 16

What is affectionless psychopathy?

Answer 16

The inability to experience guilt or strong emotion towards others

Question 17

What are the consequences of affectionless psychopathy?

Answer 17

Prevents developing fulfilling relationships and is associated with criminality

Question 18

In Bowlby’s thieves study, what was the sample comprised of?

Answer 18

44 criminal teenagers accused of stealing

Question 19

What characteristics were assessed to identify affectionless psychopathy in the study?

Answer 19

Lack of affection, lack of guilt, and lack of empathy

Question 20

How many of the 44 thieves were identified as affectionless psychopaths?

Answer 20

14

Question 21

How many of the affectionless psychopaths had experienced prolonged separation from their mothers?

Answer 21

12

Question 22

What did Bowlby conclude from his 44 thieves study?

Answer 22

Prolonged early separation/deprivation caused affectionless psychopathy

Question 23

What is one limitation of the theory of maternal deprivation?

Answer 23

The poor quality of the evidence it is based on

Bowlby’s 44 thieves study is flawed due to potential bias as Bowlby conducted both interviews and assessments.

Question 24

Who conducted a flawed study that influenced Bowlby’s theory of maternal deprivation?

Answer 24

Goldfarb

Goldfarb’s 1943 research faced issues with confounding variables due to early trauma and institutional care.

Question 25

What did Frederic Lévy et al. (2003) find in their research related to maternal deprivation?

Answer 25

Separating baby rats from their mother for as little as a day had a permanent effect on their social development ## Footnote This research suggests modest support for the idea that maternal deprivation can have long-term effects.

Question 26

What distinction did Michael Rutter (1981) make regarding early negative experiences?

Answer 26

Deprivation and privation ## Footnote Deprivation refers to the loss of an attachment figure, while privation refers to the failure to form any attachment.

Question 27

What is deprivation according to Michael Rutter?

Answer 27

The loss of the primary attachment figure after attachment has developed ## Footnote This is different from privation, which is the failure to form any attachment.

Question 28

What does privation refer to?

Answer 28

The failure to form any attachment in the first place ## Footnote This often occurs in children raised in institutional care.

Question 29

What did Rutter suggest about the severe long-term damage associated with deprivation?

Answer 29

It is actually more likely to be the result of privation ## Footnote Bowlby's association of severe damage with deprivation may be an overestimation.

Question 30

What is the critical period according to Bowlby?

Answer 30

The first two-and-a-half years of life when attachment must be formed ## Footnote Damage is considered inevitable if attachment is not formed during this time.

Question 31

What evidence challenges Bowlby's critical period concept?

Answer 31

Good quality aftercare can prevent most or all damage ## Footnote Jarmila Koluchová (1976) reported that the Czech Twins recovered fully after severe privation due to excellent care.

Question 32

What case did Jarmila Koluchová (1976) study that is relevant to the critical period?

Answer 32

The Czech Twins ## Footnote The twins experienced severe abuse but recovered with excellent aftercare.

Question 33

How is the 'critical period' better understood in light of recent evidence?

Answer 33

As a 'sensitive period' ## Footnote Lasting harm is not inevitable, suggesting a more flexible understanding of attachment development.