explanations of attachment - bowlby's theory of maternal deprivation Flashcards
(7 cards)
define separation.
the absence of the primary caregiver for a short period of time.
define deprivation.
a loss of something that is wanted or needed for an extended period of time - known as material deprivation.
is separation an issue for development?
separation is only an issue for development if the child is deprived eg - not cared for properly during separation.
- brief separations are not significant for development however extended separations can lead to deprivation.
describe the theory of deprivation.
disruption of the bonds within the critical period (first 2.5 years) can have serious consequences:
- intellectual retardation: characterised by an abnormally
low IQ.
- emotional psychopathy: the inability to experience guilt or emotion for others.
describe the study of 44 Juvenile Thieves.
sample - 88 children
Bowlby interviewed the children patients at his Child Guidance Clinic.
44 of the children were selected as they had a history of stealing (the 44 thieves, with the other half being the control group) and he suggested that some of these thieves were affection-less psychopaths as they lacked normal signs of affection, shame or sense of responsibility.
what were the findings of the thieves study?
- 86 percent of the affection-less thieves experienced frequent separations compared with 17 percent of the other thieves.
- almost none of the control participants experiences early separations whereas 39 percent of all thieves had experienced it.
what is the conclusion of the thieves study?
it suggests that early separations are linked to affection-less psychopathy - the lack of continuous care may well cause emotional maladjustment or even a mental disorder.