Bowlbys Theory Of Maternal Deprivation

Question 1

What is the difference between separation and deprivation

Answer 1

Separation - the child is not in the presence of the primary caregiver
Deprivation - the child does not have a primary caregiver anymore but did at one point

Question 2

When does separation become an issue

Answer 2

When it becomes deprivation

Question 3

How can separation be eased

Answer 3

If substitute caregivers who provide a good level of emotional care are present instead of

Question 4

What is the critical period for maternal deprivation

Answer 4

2.5 years
If child is in the absence of emotional care for an extended period of time they are deprived which will
Lead to inevitable psychological damage later on
Continues up to 5

Question 5

What are the effects of maternal deprivation on intellectual development

Answer 5

Delayed intelligence
Low IQ

Question 6

Goldfarb maternal deprivation

Answer 6

Children who were in institutions had lower iq than those who had been fostered

Question 7

What are the effects of maternal deprivation on emotional development

Answer 7

Affectionless psychopathy - inability to experience guilt or strong emotion towards others therefore prevents normal relationships developing

Question 8

What was bowlbys 44 thieves study procedure

Answer 8

Studied 44 thieves to determine maternal deprivation and affectionless psychopathy

Procedure - 44 criminal teens who stole. Interviewed for signs of affectionless psychopathy (lack of guilt) and interviewed families to see if they had prolonged separation from mothers

Control group of people who weren’t criminals but emotionally disturbed

Question 9

What were bowlbys 44 thieves findings

Answer 9

14/44 affectionless psychos
12 had prolonged separation from mothers in first two years

Only 5 non affectionless psychos had separation and 2 in the control group

Question 10

What are the 3 limitations to the maternal deprivation theory

Answer 10

Flawed evidence - bowlby carried out own interviews so open to bias AND goldfarb had confounding variables like trauma at a young age

Confusion between deprivation and privation developed by Rutter. Deprivation means taken away privation means never had in the first place. Rutter said what bowlby thought was trauma from deprivation is more likely to be from privation

Idea of the critical period - the Czech twins
Had been emotionally abused from 1-7 years old but with good emotional care had recovered by their teens therefore 2 years is maybe sensitive not critical