bowlby study

• METHOD AND PROCEDURE - sample

  experimental condition = 44 children - juvenile thieves

  > grades - 1 (one)= 3, 2 (few)= 8, 3 (persistent)=10, 4(chronic/serious)=23

  >referred to London Child Guidance Clinic, where Bowlby worked

  31 = male, 13 = female

  27 = average IQ, 15 = higher IQ, 2 = lower IQ

  control condition = 44 children who didn't steal > matched on IQ, age and economic status + referred to clinic

  5-17 years

  opportunity sampling = job
• METHOD AND PROCEDURE - method

  interviews with child and mother

  case studies > 3yr

  research methods
• METHOD AND PROCEDURE - procedure

  LCGC - children referred as emotionally disturbed

  Child given mental test (Binet test - IQ) by psychologist

  psychologist notes child's emotional attitude - how they coped/emotional response

  social worker interviews mother and records: early psychiatric history, background, marital stability, siblings, work life etc.

  psychologist and social worker report to bowlby (psychiatrist) > from report, makes provisional diagnosis (personality/character)
• METHOD AND PROCEDURE - procedure

  bowlby interviews child and mother > after 2 hr examination, reviews reports and discusses conclusions

  most children continue to meet with bowlby on a weekly basis and interviews for 6 months or so

  mothers talks about their problems with the social worker
• FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS - character types

  normal = stable characteristics

  depressed = unstable, depressed state of mind

  circular = unstable, alternating depression and over activity

  hyperthymic = constant overactivity

  affectionless = lack normal affection, shame / sense of responsibility

  schizoid = symptoms of schizophrenia
• FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS - further character type findings

  most common out of thieves > affectionless, 14/44 > easier to steel without feeling remorse

  13/23 grade 4 thieves = affectionless

  12/14 affectionless thieves = separated from mother in childhood
• FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS - conclusions

  • factors that inhibit the development of the ability to form relationships, affects the likelihood of offending
  • findings confirm psychodynamic assumptions that early years are of great importance for development
  • however, juvenile crime isn't just a psychological problem, it's a social and economic one too
• FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS - conclusions

  • early diagnosis of character and the causes can lead to early treatment for delinquents > however, prevention - better than cure
  • > although it may be impossible to prevent separation, in this case those who care for the child need to be aware of the potential danger of separation and provide good substitute emotional care