Maternal Deprivation

Question 1

What is maternal deprivation

Answer 1

• caused by a prolonged seperation from the attachment figure
• bowlby stated that deprivation DURING CRITICAL period (first 2 years) can be particularly HARMFUL.
• deprivation resukts in IRREVERSIBLE long term negative consequences , effecting both INTELLECTUAL and EMOTIONAL development.

Question 2

What are the intellectual effects of maternal deprivation

Answer 2

Cognitive delays
- low IQ

GOLDFARB - found maternally deprived children in orphanages had LOWER iq than those who were fostered.

Question 3

What arre the emotional effects of maternal deprivation?

Answer 3

• affectionless psychopathy
• maternally deprived children develop an INABILITY to show AFFECTION OR CONCERN for others.

-They also act on IMPUKSE with LITTLE REGARD for the consequences of their actions

Question 4

What was the aim of BOWLBYS 44 thieves study?

Answer 4

• examine LINKS between AFFECTIONLESS psychopathy and maternal deprivation

Question 5

What was the procedure of BOWLBYS 44 thieves study

Answer 5

• sample consisted of 44 criminal teenagers accused of stealing
• all thieves were interviewed for signs of affectionless psychopathy
• their families were also interviewed to establish whether the ‘thieves’ had suffered PROLONGED EARLY SEPERATion from their mothers
• a CONTROL group of 44 NON CRIMINAL but emotionally disturbed teenagers were set up to see how often maternal deprivation occured in children who were NOT DELINQUENT

Question 6

What were the findings of the 44 thieves study?

Answer 6

THIEVES- 14/44 described as AFFECTIONLESS Psychopaths

12/14 suffered prolonged seperation in the first 2 years

CONTROL GROUP- 2/44 had suffered MATERNAL deprivation

0/44 classified as affectionless psychopaths

CONCLUSION-
PROLONGED SEPERATION/ deprivation CAUSED affectionless psychopathyz

Question 7

What is a strength of bowlbys maternal deprivation theory?

Answer 7

P- supporting research

E-in harlows study the monkey suffered maternal deprivation as they were removed from their real mothers at birth.

E- as adults these monkeys were ABUSIVE to their own offspring, even KILLINg them in some cases. The monkeys were also more aggressive and LESS SOCIABLE than other monkeys

L- this research supports the view that maternal deprivation had a DETRIMENTAL effect on development.

Question 8

What is a limitation to bowlbys maternal deprivation theory?

Answer 8

P- contradictory evidence AGAINST the critical period

E- Czech twins JM and PM were ISOLATED from 18 months- 6 years by being LOCKED in a cupboard.

E- despite this severe deprivation, they RECOVERED after being looked after by 2 loving adults.

• they enjoyed SUCCESSFUL relationships and careers.

L- cases such as this demonstrate the period identified by bowlby may be a ‘SENSITIVE’ period but not a critical period.