Bowlby's theory of maternal deprivation

• Bowlby's theory of maternal deprivation

  Idea that continual presence of nurture from mother/mother-substitute is essential for psychological development of babies and toddlers (emotionally and intellectually). Being separated from a mother in early childhood has serious consequences.
• Bowlby's theory of maternal deprivation 2

  Separation versus deprivation

  Separation means child not being in presence of PCG. Only becomes issue if child is deprived (lose an element of her care). Brief separations, particularly w/ substitute, not sig for development but extended separations can lead to deprivation, causing harm.
• Bowlby's theory of maternal deprivation 3

  The critical period

  Critical period for psychological development = 30 months. If deprived from emotional care for extending time during period, psychological damage inevitable.
• Bowlby's theory of maternal deprivation 4

  Effects of development

  Intellectual development - maternal deprivation = abnormally low IQ. Has been demonstrated in studies of adoption. E.g., Goldfarb (1947) found lower IQ in children who remained in institutions than those who were fostered and thus had higher standards of emotional care.
• Bowlby's theory of maternal deprivation 5

  Effects of development 2

  Emotional development - identified affectionless psychopathy as inability to experience guilt or strong emotion for others. Prevents person from developing normal relationships and is associated w/ criminality.
• Bowlby's theory of maternal deprivation 6

  Bowlby's 44 thieves study

  Procedure - 44 criminal teenagers accused of stealing interviewed for affectionless psychopathy. Families also interviewed to establish if had prolonged early separation from mothers. Control group of non-criminal emotionally disturbed young people set up to see how often maternal separation/deprivation occurred in children who weren't thieves.
• Bowlby's theory of maternal deprivation 7

  Bowlby's 44 thieves study 2

  Findings - 14 out of 44 thieves described as affectionless psychopaths. Out of the 14, 12 experienced prolonged separation from mothers in first 2 years of lives. Only 5 of remaining thieves experienced separations. Of control group, only 2 out of 44 experienced long separations. Concluded that long early separation/deprivation caused affectionless psychopathy.
• Bowlby's theory of maternal deprivation- evaluation

  Evidence may be poor. Bowlby drew on a number of sources of evidence for maternal deprivation including studies of children orphaned during WW2 and his 44 thieves study. However, these flawed as evidence. War-orphans were traumatised and often had poor after-care which could of caused later developmental difficulties rather than separation. 44 thieves was biased - Bowlby carried out assessments and interviews, knowing what he wanted to find.
• Bowlby's theory of maternal deprivation- evaluation 2

  Counter-evidence from other research. Hilda Lewis (1954) partially replicated 44 thieves study on larger scale (500 young people). History of early prolonged separation from mother did not predict criminality or difficulty forming relationships. Suggests other factors may affect outcome of early maternal deprivation.
• Bowlby's theory of maternal deprivation- evaluation 3

  Critical period is actually more of a sensitive period. Later research has shown that damage is not inevitable after prolonged separation. Koluchova (1976) reported case of twin brothers who were isolated from 18 months until they were 7 (step-mother locked them in cupboard). Subsequently looked after by two loving adults and appeared to recover fully.