AO1 - Bowlby's Theory of Maternal Deprivation

• Bowlby’s (1953) Maternal Deprivation Hypothesis proposed that a “warm, intimate & continuous relationship with a mother (figure)” is necessary for healthy psychological/ emotional development.
• Bowlby suggested there are negative consequences for the child following maternal deprivation.
• Some of the consequences include an inability to form attachments in the future, affectionless psychopathy, delinquency and problems with cognitive development.
• Deprivation is a break in the attachment bond during the critical period (0-2.5 years).
• Maternal deprivation is a break in the bond between the child and its primary caregiver.
• Bowlby claimed that the presence of a mother or care from a substitute caregiver is essential in order to have normal psychological well-being.
• One consequence is with intellectual development. Bowlby suggested that maternal deprivation will result in lower IQ.
• Goldfarb (1947) found lower IQ in children who were in institutional care compared to those who were fostered.
• Bowlby argued that maternal deprivation can affect emotional development. Some children experience affectionless psychopathy (lack of feeling/ guilt/ remorse).
• Bowlby (1944) found that 32% of a group of young thieves showed characteristics of affectionless psychopathy.
• In 1944 Bowlby collected data via interviews and questionnaires from the 88 juveniles and found that 17/44 thieves had experienced early prolonged separation from their mothers before 5 years.