A03

• Point: One limitation of the theory of maternal deprivation is the poor quality of the evidence it is based on.

  Evidence:In his 44 thieves study, Bowlby conducted both the family interviews as well as the assessments for affectionless psychopathy. 

  Explain: This means he knew in advance which teenagers he would expect to show signs of psychopathy which would leave him open to investigator bias.

  Link: Therefore, this casts doubt on the validity and reliability of the evidence supporting Bowlby's theory of maternal deprivation.
• Point: However, a new line of research has provided some modest support for the idea that maternal deprivation can have long-term effects.

  Evidence: Lévy (2003) found that separating baby rats from their mother for as little as a day had a permanent effect on their social development.

  Explain: This indicates that early separation from the mother figure can indeed impact certain aspects of development.

  Link: Thus, while Bowlby's original evidence may be flawed, emerging research offers some support for the concept of maternal deprivation.
• Another limitation of Bowlby's theory of maternal deprivation is his confusion between different types of early experience.

  Rutter (1981) distinguished between deprivation (loss of the primary attachment figure) and privation (failure to form any attachment).

  Explain: Many children in the 44 thieves study had disrupted early lives (spending extended periods in hospital) and thus may never have formed strong attachments in the first place.

  Link: Therefore, this suggests that Bowlby's theory may have overestimated the severity of the effects of deprivation by mixing it with privation.
• Point: A further limitation of the theory is Bowlby's idea of a critical period.

  Evidence: Koluchová (1976) reported the case of the Czech Twins, who had experienced severe physical and emotional abuse from the age of 18 months until they were seven.

  Explain: Despite this, through excellent care, they recovered fully by their teens.

  Link: Hence, this implies that the concept of a ‘critical period’ may need to be reconsidered and should be seen as a ‘sensitive period’ instead.