AQA A Level Psychology
Example Essay
Attachment - Maternal Deprivation
Paper Reference - 7182/1
Joe was taken away from his alcoholic parents at six months old and placed in care. He was
adopted when he was seven years old, but has a difficult relationship with his adoptive parents.
He is aggressive towards his younger siblings and is often in trouble at school. His last school
report said, “Joe struggles with classwork and seems to have little regard for the feelings of
others”.
Discuss Bowlby’s Maternal deprivation theory. Refer to the experience of Joe as part of your
discussion. [16 Marks]
PREVIEW:
Bowlby’s maternal deprivation theory is based upon a few key principles, all linking to the fact
that a child must have a bond to a maternal figure in order to develop correctly and form
attachments with people later in life. The first key principle is that of monotropy; a child having
the need to form a unique, strong and single attachment to the primary caregiver which is
usually the mother. If a child doesn’t form this bond with a maternal figure due to the absence of
love and care over an extended period of time, the child is said to have gone through maternal
deprivation.
Example Essay
Attachment - Maternal Deprivation
Paper Reference - 7182/1
Joe was taken away from his alcoholic parents at six months old and placed in care. He was
adopted when he was seven years old, but has a difficult relationship with his adoptive parents.
He is aggressive towards his younger siblings and is often in trouble at school. His last school
report said, “Joe struggles with classwork and seems to have little regard for the feelings of
others”.
Discuss Bowlby’s Maternal deprivation theory. Refer to the experience of Joe as part of your
discussion. [16 Marks]
PREVIEW:
Bowlby’s maternal deprivation theory is based upon a few key principles, all linking to the fact
that a child must have a bond to a maternal figure in order to develop correctly and form
attachments with people later in life. The first key principle is that of monotropy; a child having
the need to form a unique, strong and single attachment to the primary caregiver which is
usually the mother. If a child doesn’t form this bond with a maternal figure due to the absence of
love and care over an extended period of time, the child is said to have gone through maternal
deprivation.
