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.