bowlby’s maternal deprivation theory

Maternal deprivation is the…

loss of maternal attachment

Privation means…

no attachment's formed

Bowlby's theory of monotropy explains why we form attachments,
WHEREAS
Bowlby's theory of maternal deprivation focuses on the…

consequences of maternal deprivation

Bowlby believed continuous care from mum is needed for…

normal psychological development

Separation means not being in the presence of…

primary attachment figure

Extended separation can lead to…

deprivation

Deprivation has harmful consequences on…

emotional and intellectual development

The critical period: (2 and a half yrs)
If child deprived of mother for prolonged periods during critical period, they'd face…
(continuing risk up to 5yrs)

psychological damage

Intellectual development:
If a child was deprived of mother for too long during critical period, they'd suffer…, low…

delayed intellectual development, low IQ

Goldfarb (1947) found lower IQ in children in…compared to those…

institutions, fostered

Emotional development:
Affectionless psychopathy: the inability to feel strong emotions or….
This prevents the person developing… and is associated with…

guilt for others, normal relationships, criminality

Affectionless psychopaths can't appreciate the feelings of victims so they lack…

remorse for their actions

Bowlby's 44 thieves study: (1944)
Bowlby's aim was to study the links between…

affectionless psychopathy and maternal deprivation

Bowlby's 44 thieves study: (1944)
Procedure:
44 teens accused of stealing interviewed for signs of affectionless psychopathy.
Families interviewed to see if there was prolonged..
Control group, 44 non criminal teens with emotional problems assessed for…

early separation from mother, maternal deprivation

Bowlby's 44 thieves study: (1944)
Findings:
14/44 = affectionless psychopaths, 12= prolonged separation during first 2 yrs (critical period).
17/44 had maternal separation.
In control group, 2/44 had maternal separation, 0/44 classed as…

affectionless psychopaths

Bowlby's 44 thieves study: (1944)
Conclusion:
Prolonged separation/deprivation is linked to…

affectionless psychopathy

AO3- Evaluation: strength

Research support

Goldfarb (1943)- institutionalised children = lower IQ + emotional problems.

Had early maternal deprivation.

Therefore, this …

supports

AO3- Evaluation: strength

Real-world applications

Bowlby’s study-changed policies

Parents stay in hospital visits + early adoption encouraged

Reduces risk of deprivation + its…

effects

AO3- Evaluation: limitation

Bowlby- didn’t distinguish deprivation + privation (define)

Rutter found deprived children never formed attachment in first place

Therefore, weakens…

validity

AO3- Evaluation: limitation

Poor quality evidence

44 thieves lacked control over variables: poverty, trauma, genetics

Could explain later problems>deprivation

Therefore, reduces internal…

validity