Maternal Deprivation (Bowlby)

• (AO1) Define deprivation and Bowlby's maternal deprivation hypothesis

  Occurs when an attachment bond is formed between an infant and caregiver but is broken later in life

  
  

  "If an infant is unable to develop a warm, intimate and continuous relationship with his/her mother (or mother substitute) before the age of 2.5 then the child would have difficulty forming relationships with other people and be at risk of behavioural/emotional disorders"
• (AO1) Mention the sensitive period in relation to maternal deprivation and the critical period

  Although Bowlby believed that the effects of maternal deprivation would be at their most acute during the critical period, should a mother substitute not be provided, he also noted that there was a risk of adverse consequences up until 5 years of age.

  
  

  Up to 5 years = sensitive period
• (AO1) What is affectionless psychopathy?

  Bowlby defined a particular behaviour as affectionless psychopathy = to describe individuals who have no sense of shame or guilt.
• (AO1) Give the aim and method of 44 Juvenile Thieves (Bowlby 1944)


  Aim = To see if early seperation from the primary caregiver (deprivation) was associated with behavioural disorders.

  
  

  Method = 88 ppts, children, 5 - 16, who had been referred to a guidance clinic in London where Bowlby worked were examined. 44 of the children were criminals (guilty of theft) and 44 non - criminal ppts were used in a control group. Also interviewed the children & family to create a record of early life experiences.
• (AO1) Give the results of 44 Juvenile Thieves (Bowlby 1944)

  Results =

  • Out of the 44 non - criminals - 4% had prolonged seperation
  • Out of the 44 thieves - 30 'other thieves' - 17% of them has prolonged seperation
  • Out of the 44 thieves - 14 where 'affectionless psychopaths' - 86% of them has prolonged seperation

  
• (AO1) Give the conclusion of 44 Juvenile Thieves (Bowlby 1944)

  These findings suggest a link between early seperation and later social maladjustments.

  The maternal deprivation hypothesis appears to lead to affectionless psychopaths & antisocial behaviour.
• (AO3) Give a limitation of maternal deprivation

  Point: Evidence that counters Bowlby's deprivation hypothesis

  
  

  Evidence: Lewis replicated the juvenile thieves study with a larger sample of children, but did not find that early deprivation caused by prolonged seperation from PCG predicted a greater likelihood of criminal behaviour in the youths.

  
  

  Evaluate: This casts doubt and undermines on Bowlby's theory, as it suggests that other factors may be involved which may modify the consequences of maternal deprivation.
• (AO3) Give a strength of maternal deprivation

  Point: Provides significant impact on best practise in institutions such as hospitals where infant are likely to experience prolonged seperation from caregivers.

  
  

  Evidence: Historically, visiting children in hospitals was very restricted/ not permitted at all. The Robertsons's observed 2 yr old girl, Laura, hospitalised for 8 days, struggled with the emotional deprivation - distress.

  
  

  Evaluate: key changes now made (by psychological insight), providing quality substitute emotional care in absence of parents to minimise negative consequences.
• (AO3) Give a limitation of maternal deprivation

  Point: Criticised for not making the distinction between deprivation and privation.

  
  

  Evidence: Rutter suggests that privation (not having had the opportunity to form an attachment at all) leads to more damaging consequences for the child than experiencing a broken attachment in their early years.

  
  

  Evaluate: He disapproved of Bowlby's use of the word 'deprivation' for he believed he was confusing the two concepts and using the terms interchangeably.