Procedures

• The participants were collected using an opportunity sample
• On arrival the children were given a mental test given by a psychologist to assess their intelligence. the Binet scale was used
• Whilst the test went on the psychologist also noted down the emotional attitude of the child
• The mothers of the children where also interviewed by a social worker and noted down preliminary details of the child’s early psychiatric history
• Both the psychologist and social worker reported back to the psychiatrist, Bowlby. The psychiatrist then interviewed the child and mother
• after the two hour examination the team considered school reports and discussed their conclusions.
• The children then went on to meet with the psychiatrist weekly over a period of six months or more. the mothers also talked over their problems with the social worker.
• These meetings and discussions enabled detailed case history to be recorded, and also enables the psychiatrist to diagnose the children’s emotional problems