Maternal Deprivation

Question 1

What is Bowlby’s theory of maternal deprivation?

Answer 1

• Prolonged separation from mother = serious damage to emotional & intellectual development
• Continuous care from mother/substitute = essential for psychological development

Question 2

Which of Bowlby’s earlier studies form this theory?

Answer 2

• Bowlby analysed case studies of patients in Child Guidance clinic in London

Question 3

State the procedure used for the study of Maternal Deprivation.

Answer 3

• Studied 88 children (Are emotionally maladjusted)
• 44 Juvenile Thieves
• 44 acting as control group

Question 4

What did Bowlby suggest about the thieves?

Answer 4

• Affectionless psychopaths
• Lacked shame
• Lacked sense of responsibility

Question 5

What were the findings from this procedure in Maternal Deprivation?

Answer 5

• Thieves = Early separation from mother (Continual or repeated)

Question 6

What was concluded from this procedure in Maternal Deprivation?

Answer 6

• Early separation = linked to affectionless psychopathy

- Lack of continuous care leads to emotional maladjustment

Question 7

State The Value of Mental Care.

Answer 7

• No one considered long-term affects of separation had on infants
• Indicated the importance of ‘warm intimate & continuous relationship’ for good mental health