Bowlby's theory of maternal deprivation

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  • Created by: Gottowork
  • Created on: 15-05-16 09:20
What is maternal deprivation?
Emotional + intellectual consequences of separation between child and mother. Continuous care essential for normal psychological development, prolonged separation causes serious damage
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What is the difference between separation and deprivation?
Separation only not in presence of caregiver, becomes deprivation when lose an element of care. Brief separations are not significant for development, extended separations are
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What did Bowlby say the critical period for psychological development is?
30 months - damage inevitable if child separated from mother in absence of substitute care
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What are the two effects of maternal deprivation on development?
Intellectual - mental retardation, abnormally low IQ. Emotional - affectionless psychopathy, inability to experience guilt or empathy, associated with criminality as lack remorse
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What was the procedure of Bowlby's 44 thieves study?
44 criminal teenagers accused of stealing, interviewed for signs of AP, family interviewed (prolonged separations?). Control group of non-criminal emotionally disturbed teenagers - how often maternal deprivation occurred in those who weren't thieves
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What did Bowlby find in his thieves study?
14 of the 44 thieves APs, 12 of them experienced prolonged separation. Only 5 of remaining 30 experienced separations. Control group - 2 out of 44 had experienced long separations. So prolonged early separation caused AP
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Why might the evidence for Bowlby's 44 thieves study be poor?
Drew on a no. of sources of evidence, e.g. war orphans - traumatised and poor after-care, could be the causes of later development difficulties. 44 thieves major design flaws - Bowlby biased as carried out assessments for AP and interviews himself
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What counter-evidence is there for the theory of maternal deprivation?
Hilda Lewis partially replicated 44 thieves study, 500 young people. History of early prolonged separations didn't predict criminality - other factors may affect outcome
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Why is the critical period that Bowlby suggests more of a sensitive period?
Damage isn't inevitable - some cases have had good outcomes if good aftercare, e.g. Koluchova - twin boys from Czechoslovakia, locked in cupboard from 18 months to 7 years, then looked after by two loving adults and recovered fully
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

What is the difference between separation and deprivation?

Back

Separation only not in presence of caregiver, becomes deprivation when lose an element of care. Brief separations are not significant for development, extended separations are

Card 3

Front

What did Bowlby say the critical period for psychological development is?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

What are the two effects of maternal deprivation on development?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

What was the procedure of Bowlby's 44 thieves study?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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