Bowlbys maternal deprivation theory

What is the difference between separation and deprivation

Separation is physically apart from mother, deprivation is maternal care being lost.

What are the effects of deprivation

Inability to form attachment, delinquency, cognitive defects, affection less psychopathy

Bowlbys 44 thieves

14/44 thieves are affectionless

30/40 not psychopaths

12/14 and 5/30 had maternal deprivation

Support from animal research

Harlow - 2 surrogates so no monotropic bond, couldn’t reintegrate with other monkeys and abusive to children

But, cannot generalise monkeys to humans because we are more intelligent

Genie case study

Deprived until 13, could communicate non-verbally/little English, difficulty with grammar and motor skils

What does genies case study show

Support idea great deprivation can cause irreversible damage and cognitive defects

How can you counter genies case study

Czechs twins were isolated for 6-7 years, later adopted by loving family and made full recovery

Shows that damage is not irreversible

What did the Czech twin study do

Replaced critical period with 5 year sensitive period, failure to form attachment wil cause issues that are hard to reverse

What happened to the idea of critical period

Replaced with 5 year sensitive period, failure to form attachment in this time will cause irreversible damage