AO1 - Bowlby's Theory of Maternal Deprivation

• 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.
• 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's 44 thieves study examined the link between affectionless psychopathy and maternal deprivation.
• Of the 44 thieves 12 had experienced prolonged separation in the first 2 years of life
• Bowlby (1944) found that 32% of the young thieves showed characteristics of affectionless psychopathy.
• Bowlby’s (1953) Maternal Deprivation Hypothesis proposed that a “intimate & continuous relationship with a mother (figure)” is necessary for healthy psychological and emotional development.
• The underlying assumption of Bowlby's maternal deprivation hypothesis is that continual disruption of the attachment (the law of accumulated separation) between infant and primary carer could result in long term cognitive , social and emotional difficulties for the infant.
• Effects of Maternal deprivation

  • Affectionless psychopathology
  • Developmental retardation
  • Delinquency
  • Increased aggression
  • Depression
• Developmental retardation 


  • The cognitive skills needed to function continuously in society.
  • Deprivation could significantly impair intellectual and adaptive functioning throughout life.
• Goldfarb (1947)

  • Compared a group of children who spent the first few months in an orphanage and were then fostered, with a group of children who spent 3 years in an orphanage before being fostered. (ie had little opportunity to form attachments in early life)
  • The children who had spent 3 years at the orphanage performed less well on IQ tests and were less social and more likely to be aggressive.
• Delinquency

  • Tendency to commit minor crimes eg - shoplifting , vandalism,
  • If a child is deprived of their caregiver Bowlby suggested they may turn to crime to compensate for their loss of relationship.
• Increased aggression 


  • Volatile , violent and worsening acts of anger and hostility towards others and property
• Affectionless psychopathology

  • An inability to show affection or concern for others
  • Act on impulse with little regard for the consequences of their actions