SECTION: Maternal Deprivation
TOPIC: Attachment
SIX SENTENCE SUMMARY OF KEY IDEAS (K/U) KEY WORD GLOSSARY
1. Maternal deprivation is the emotional and intellectual Deprivation
consequences of long-term separation between a child and
caregiver. Privation
Critical Period
2. Bowlby said there is a critical period for the first 2 and a half
years, if deprivation occurs there will be inevitable Intellectual/emotional development
psychological problems in the infant’s future. The sensitive Separation
period extends up to 5 years.
3. The to effects on development – emotional, causing
relationship problems and affectionless psychopaths.
Intellectual meaning IQ levels are below average. (Children
raised in institutions had a lower IQ than those in foster care.)
RELEVENT EVIDENCE
Bowlby’s 44 thieves’ study – studied 44 criminal teens to find a link between maternal deprivation and affectionless
psychopathy. First interview them for signs of AP and then their family for background into childhood. He found 14/44
were AP and 12 of which experienced early deprivation. In comparison to a control group of non criminal teens, 2/44
were AP and 0 experienced early separation.
This proved a clear link between AP and maternal deprivation – showing the possible consequences of early separation.
PEEL STRENGTH PEEL WEAKNESS
Practical development – as this theory was understood, Lacks internal validity – the interviews were carried out
it became more aware of the importance of early by Bowlby himself which leads to bias findings as
attachment, mothers can stay with their babies while in information could unconsciously/consciously be in favour
hospital care and highlights the importance of ‘maternity of his research.
leave.’ Also using family sources and personal recall, could lead
to bias information making them look better (demand
characteristics) or misremembered information.
PEEL WEAKNESS PEEL WEAKNESS
Deprivation vs Privation – only after Bowlby’s studies the Lack of evidence for the critical period – other research
idea of privation was found therefore he didn’t identify has found that even children/teenagers who have gornw
specific form of early separation in his study – his results u in abusive/neglected homes are able to make a full
of consequences for deprivation may be too severe and recovering if care is given after the extended critical
actually represent privation – the research may be period (5 years) therefore it my be more of a ‘sensitve
meaningless. period.’
Conclusion –
Bowlby has other sources that supported his theory but there is also more conflicting evidence to second guess the
reliability and importance of this theory.
TOPIC: Attachment
SIX SENTENCE SUMMARY OF KEY IDEAS (K/U) KEY WORD GLOSSARY
1. Maternal deprivation is the emotional and intellectual Deprivation
consequences of long-term separation between a child and
caregiver. Privation
Critical Period
2. Bowlby said there is a critical period for the first 2 and a half
years, if deprivation occurs there will be inevitable Intellectual/emotional development
psychological problems in the infant’s future. The sensitive Separation
period extends up to 5 years.
3. The to effects on development – emotional, causing
relationship problems and affectionless psychopaths.
Intellectual meaning IQ levels are below average. (Children
raised in institutions had a lower IQ than those in foster care.)
RELEVENT EVIDENCE
Bowlby’s 44 thieves’ study – studied 44 criminal teens to find a link between maternal deprivation and affectionless
psychopathy. First interview them for signs of AP and then their family for background into childhood. He found 14/44
were AP and 12 of which experienced early deprivation. In comparison to a control group of non criminal teens, 2/44
were AP and 0 experienced early separation.
This proved a clear link between AP and maternal deprivation – showing the possible consequences of early separation.
PEEL STRENGTH PEEL WEAKNESS
Practical development – as this theory was understood, Lacks internal validity – the interviews were carried out
it became more aware of the importance of early by Bowlby himself which leads to bias findings as
attachment, mothers can stay with their babies while in information could unconsciously/consciously be in favour
hospital care and highlights the importance of ‘maternity of his research.
leave.’ Also using family sources and personal recall, could lead
to bias information making them look better (demand
characteristics) or misremembered information.
PEEL WEAKNESS PEEL WEAKNESS
Deprivation vs Privation – only after Bowlby’s studies the Lack of evidence for the critical period – other research
idea of privation was found therefore he didn’t identify has found that even children/teenagers who have gornw
specific form of early separation in his study – his results u in abusive/neglected homes are able to make a full
of consequences for deprivation may be too severe and recovering if care is given after the extended critical
actually represent privation – the research may be period (5 years) therefore it my be more of a ‘sensitve
meaningless. period.’
Conclusion –
Bowlby has other sources that supported his theory but there is also more conflicting evidence to second guess the
reliability and importance of this theory.
