MATERNAL DEP- KEY CONCEPTS

• MATERNAL DEPRIVATION:

  • On the impact of deprivation on attachment
  • Bowlby proposed this before monotropic theory
  • Continual care from a mother- essential for psychological development
• Separation:

  • Child not in the presence of primary attachment 
  • Extended separation can lead to harm
• Deprivation:

  • Child is not receiving emotional care
  • Risk up until 5 years old- critical period
  • Caregiver may still be present
• CONSEQUENCES OF MAT. DEP- INTELLECTUAL DEV:

  • Happens if child is deprived from maternal care for too long during the critical period 
  • Abnormally low IQ
  • Goldfarb- lower IQ in children who remained in institutions as opposed to fostered 
• CONSEQUENCES OF MAT. DEP- Emotional Development: 

  • Affectionless psychopathy- inability to experience guilt or strong emotion towards others (characteristics of criminals)
• 44 Juvenile Thieves:

  • Bowlby tried to argue that maternal deprivation leads to affectionless psychopathy 
• AIM (44 JUVENILE THIEVES)

  • To see if early separation from primary caregiver was associated with behavioural disorders
• Procedure:

  • Children ages 5-16, referred to London guidance clinic
  • 44 criminals, 44 not (control)
  • Bowlby interviewed children & families -> record of early experiences
• Findings:

  • 14/44 thieves- affectionless psychopaths
  • 86% experienced early prolonged separation (only 17% of other thieves / 4% of control experienced such separation)
• Conclusion

  • Mat dep can lead to affectionless psychopathy / antisocial behaviour