According to Bowlby, there is a link between maternal deprivation and deviant behavior
Maternal deprivation
If the mother's child attachment is broken through separation, it can leave the child unable to form meaningful relationships, leading to criminal behavior
Long-term consequence = affectionless psychopathy (lack of guilt, empathy, and feelings for others)
Maternally deprived individuals are likely to engage in acts of delinquency
Bowlby's study: 44 Juvenile Thieves
14 out of the 44 thieves could be classified as 'affectionless psychopathy'
12 out of these 14 experienced prolonged separation from their mothers in the first two years of life
Bowlby concluded that maternal deprivation caused affectionless and delinquent behaviour
Strengths of Bowlby's theory
His study supports his theory (44 juvenile thieves)
Criticism:
Some people have fathers that raise them (no mother) and they don’t necessarily become criminals.
Criticism:
Can be criticized as some children have same sex upbringings - and don’t become criminals
