bowlbys theory of maternal deprivation

• what is the theory of maternal deprivation?

  the idea that continual presence of care from a mother/ mother substitute is essential for normal psychological development of babies/ toddlers, both emotionally and intellectually
• what is seperation?


  the child isn't in presence of primary attachment figure

  -this is an issue if deprived of emotional care

  -extended seperation can lead to deprivation --> causes harm
• what is intellectual development?

  child is deprived too long in critical period (low Iq)

  Goldferb found low IQ in those with less emotional care
• what is the critical period?

  critical period for psychological development= 2.5 years

  -if child is deprived during this time, Bowlby believed. psychiological damage was inevitable (up to age 5)
• what is emotional development?

  affectionless psychopathy --> experience guilt/ strong emotions towards others

  
  

  -associated with criminality, no feelings for victims
• what are the 2 effects of development?

  emotional and intellectual development
• bowlbys procedure for maternal deprivation (44 thieves study)?

  • 44 thieves
  • examined link between affectionless psychopathy + maternal deprivation
  • 44 criminal teenagers associated with stealing --> all interviewed
  • --> sample compared to 44 non criminal but emotionally disturbed young people
• bowlbys findings for maternal deprivation (44 thieves study)?

  • 14/44 thieves could be described as affectionless psychopaths
  • - 12 experienced prolonged seperation from mothers in first 2 years of life
  • only 5 of remaining thieves has experienced seperation
  • only 2 participants in control group of 44 experienced long seperations

  conclusion: prolonged early seperation/deprivation caused affectionless psychopathy
• A03 - flawed evidence?

  • bowlby carried out both family interviews and assessments
  • --> BIAS - knew which teens expected to show affectionless psychopathy
  • evidence has serious flaws, cant be taken seriously
  • lowers validity
• A03 - deprivation and privation?

  • confusion between types of early negative experiences
  • deprivation= loss of primary attachment figure after attachment developed
  • privation= failure to form any type of attachment in first place
  • bowlby overestimated the seriousness of effects of deprivation in children's development
  • lowers validity
• A03 - critical vs sensitive periods?

  • evidence to suggest in many cases, good quality. can prevent most/all damage
  • Czech twins experience damage from 18 months-7yrs (FULLY RECOVERED)
  • lasting harm isn't inevitable even in secure privation

  so critical period is more of a sensitive period

  • lowers validity