Topic 2.2- Bowlby's Maternal Deprivation Theory

Question 1

What was his theory?

Answer 1

That there is a link between maternal deprivation and deviant behaviour, that a child needs to be close with the primary carer to develop normally.

Question 2

What is affectionless psychopathy?

Answer 2

Where the mother-child attachment is broken due to separation, as to where the child becomes unable to form a meaningful emotional relationship

Question 3

How did he conduct his study?

Answer 3

He based his study on 44 juvenile thieves, which were referred to a child guidance clinic.

Question 4

What results did he find from his study?

Answer 4

That 39 out of the 44 of the juveniles suffered maternal deprivation for six months or more before the age of 5.

Question 5

Maternal deprivation

Answer 5

Refers to the ‘loss’ of attachment, as to whether it is long or short term.