Maternal deprivation theory Flashcards
(13 cards)
What is maternal deprivation?
Long term separation from primary attachment in early childhood that has serious consequences
What are 3 effects of maternal deprivation?
-Intellectual development issues
-Social development issues
-Emotional development issues
What is the critical period for humans and when is it?
If a child is deprived of emotional care from a mother figure for an extended period, psychological damage is inevitable
The first 30 months is our critical period
How does Harlow’s monkeys support maternal deprivation theory?
They were aggressive to their own children and were neglectful
How many thieves did Bowlby study and what personality trait was he looking for in them?
44 and affectionless psychopathy eg lack of guilt and empathy
How many thieves did Bowlby say had this type of personality?
32% of them
How many thieves had experienced maternal deprivation?
86% of them
How does this study support maternal deprivation?
Early separation/ deprivation caused affectionless psychopathy
Why does the Czech twins study challenge the maternal deprivation theory?
They were isolated from 18 months to 7 years in a cellar with no primary attachment figure and didn’t have any lasting long-term effects. This shows children do recover from maternal deprivation
Why does Lewis (1954) study challenge the maternal deprivation theory?
He replicated the 44 thieves study on larger scale (550 children) and found no link between maternal deprivation and criminality
What are the practical applications of maternal deprivation theory?
Social workers now understand the consequences of the lack of primary attachment and so foster carers are encouraged to form attachments with children in care
Why has maternal deprivation theory been criticised for being against working mothers?
It suggests mothers are harming their children through repeated separation by going to work. This limited women’s role in the workplace and reinforced gender stereotypes
Why has the critical period been described as more of a sensitive period?
Some children do recover from maternal deprivation. and don’t have lasting consequences
