Bowlby: maternal deprivation

• Who developed the theory of maternal deprivation?

  John Bowlby
• What does Bowlby's theory of maternal deprivation focus on?

  Effects of early experiences on attachment
• What is maternal deprivation according to Bowlby?

  Consequences of separation from mother or substitute
• What did Bowlby believe about continuous care from a mother?

  It is essential for normal psychological development
• What is the difference between separation and deprivation?

  Separation is absence; deprivation is loss of care
• What can brief separations with a substitute caregiver lead to?

  They are not significant for development
• What did Bowlby identify as the critical period for psychological development?

  The first 30 months of life
• What happens if a child is deprived of emotional care during the critical period?

  Psychological damage is believed to be inevitable
• How does maternal deprivation affect intellectual development?

  It can lead to delayed intellectual development
• What did Goldfarb (1947) find regarding IQ in children?

  Lower IQ in children from institutions
• What is affectionless psychopathy according to Bowlby?

  Inability to experience guilt or strong emotions
• What is the association between affectionless psychopathy and criminality?

  Affectionless psychopaths often lack remorse
• What was the sample in Bowlby's 44 thieves study?

  44 criminal teenagers accused of stealing
• What were the findings of Bowlby's 44 thieves study regarding affectionless psychopaths?

  14 thieves were affectionless psychopaths
• How many of the affectionless psychopaths experienced prolonged separation?

  12 out of 14 had prolonged separation
• What did Michael Rutter claim about deprivation and privation?

  Deprivation is loss; privation is failure to attach
• What does Rutter suggest is more likely to cause long-term damage?

  Privation rather than deprivation
• What did Levy et al. (2003) find regarding baby rats and maternal separation?

  Separation for one day affected social development
• What are the key components of Bowlby's theory of maternal deprivation?

  • Continuous maternal care is essential
  • Separation leads to emotional and intellectual damage
  • Critical period is the first 30 months
  • Prolonged separation causes harm
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of Bowlby's theory of maternal deprivation?

  Strengths:

  • Influential in attachment theory
  • Supported by some animal studies

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Lacks robust empirical evidence
  • Confounding variables in studies
  • Distinction between deprivation and privation unclear
• What are the implications of Bowlby's findings on child care practices?

  • Importance of stable caregiver relationships
  • Need for quality aftercare in institutions
  • Awareness of effects of prolonged separation