Bowlby's Theory Of Maternal Deprivation

Question 1

What did Bowlby say about ‘Mother-love’?

Answer 1

‘Mother-love in infancy and childhood is as important for mental health as are vitamins and proteins for physical health’

Question 2

What is the theory of deprivation?

Answer 2

Continual presence of care essential for normal psychological development

Separation from mother in early childhood has serious consequences - maternal deprivation

Question 3

What is the difference between separation and deprivation?

Answer 3

Separation = child not in the presence of primary caregiver; Deprivation = lack of emotional care (prevented with appropriate childcare)

Separation itself is not harmful unless it’s extended leading to deprivation.

Question 4

What is the critical period for psychological development according to Bowlby?

Answer 4

The first 2 and 1/2 years are critical for psychological development with a continuing risk up until age 5

Separation during this period can lead to significant psychological damage.

Question 5

What are the effects of maternal deprivation on intellectual development?

Answer 5

Delayed intellectual development resulting in low IQ

Demonstrated in adoption studies like Goldfarb’s study

Question 6

What were the findings of Goldfarb’s study on IQ?

Answer 6

Average IQ of fostered group was 96; Average IQ of orphanage group was 68 (intellectually disabled)

Lower IQs in institutionalized children compared to those who were fostered.

Question 7

What was the procedure of Goldfarb’s study?

Answer 7

Followed 30 orphans up to age 12, half of which had been fostered by 4 months. Other half stayed in an orphanage and all had their IQ tested at age 12.

Question 8

What effects did maternal deprivation have on emotional development?

Answer 8

Affectionless psychopathy

Question 9

What is affectionless psychopathy?

Answer 9

A condition preventing fulfilling relationships, associated with criminality, and characterized by lack of remorse and inability to appreciate others’ feelings

Question 10

What was the procedure of Bowlby’s 44 thieves study?

Answer 10

Interviewed 44 teenagers accused of stealing for signs of affectionless psychopathy (eg: lack of guilt) and family history of prolonged separation from mothers

Compared to control group of non criminal, emotionally disturbed teens

Question 11

What were the key findings of the 44 thieves study?

Answer 11

14 out of 44 thieves were affectionless psychopaths; 12 had experienced prolonged separation from mothers

2 participants in control group experienced prolonged separation

concluded prolonged early separation/deprivation = affectionless psychopathy

Question 12

What’s a strength of maternal deprivation related to studies?

Answer 12

Fredrick Levy et al separated baby rates from mothers (even for a day). It affected their social development but no other development affected

Gao et al shown that poor quality maternal care linked to high rates of psychopathy in adults

Question 13

What’s a limitation of maternal deprivation related to lasting harm?

Answer 13

Good quality aftercare can prevent most or all damage as Koluchova reported a case of Czech twins that were emotionally and physically abused for years. Good aftercare allowed them to fully recover from severe emotional damage.

Shows lasting harm from privation is not guaranteed.

Question 14

What’s a limitation in relation to early separation and psychopathy?

Answer 14

Replications of 44 thieves failed to produce same results, Lewis studied 500 young people and found no link between early separation and later psychopathy

Question 15

What are some real-life examples of the impact of maternal deprivation?

Answer 15

• Impact on child development in foster care
• Attachment issues in adoption
• Parental leave policies