Attachment: Bowlby’s theory of maternal deprivation In red: what will be covered this lesson. Homework: Read article on the role of the father from Psychology Review Autumn 2015

Attachment: Bowlby’s theory of maternal deprivation AO1 Outline Bowlby’s theory of maternal deprivation. AO2 Explain the link between Bowlby’s theory of MD and his study of 44 thieves. AO3 Evaluate the evidence to support/refute Bowlby’s theory of MD. The exams will measure how students have achieved the following assessment objectives. AO1: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas, processes, techniques and procedures. AO2: Apply knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas, processes, techniques and procedures: • in a theoretical context • in a practical context • when handling qualitative data • when handling quantitative data. AO3: Analyse, interpret and evaluate scientific information, ideas and evidence, including in relation to issues, to: • make judgements and reach conclusions • develop and refine practical design and procedures.

Bowlby’s Maternal Deprivation Hypothesis (1953) Maternal Deprivation: The emotional and intellectual consequences of separation between a child and his/her mother or mother substitute. Bowlby proposed that continuous care from a mother is essential for normal psychological development, and that prolonged separation from this adult causes serious damage to emotional and intellectual development

Bowlby’s Maternal Deprivation Hypothesis (1953) Note: He proposed this theory 20 years before his attachment theory. However, the basis of his MDH is the same as the idea of the Critical Period. What is the critical period? What is the effect if a child does not form an attachment during this period? If an infant is unable to develop a warm, intimate and continuous relationship with his/her mother (or mother substitute) before the age of 2.5yrs then the child would have difficulty forming relationships with other people and be a risk of behavioural/emotional disorders.

Questions: Do you agree? “Mother love in infancy is as important for mental health, as are vitamins and proteins are for physical health”   John Bowlby Questions: Do you agree?

What do these studies suggest about the way(s) maternal deprivation can affect a child’s development? Why could it be considered problematic that the Spitz & Wolf studies were carried out in poor quality institutions?

Research supporting the MDH Support for Bowlby's MDH comes from his own study on 44 juvenile thieves… Task: Read Bowlby (1944) – 44 Juvenile Thieves and answer the following questions: What was the aim of his study? What is affectionless psychopathy? How many participants in his sample were affectionless psychopaths? What research method did Bowlby use to collect his data? Outline his findings including at least one fine detail (percentage). Bowlby’s  findings supported his maternal deprivation hypothesis? Explain why.  Evaluate Bowlby’s  (1944) research –  write at least 2 Burger Paragraphs …

Evaluating Bowlby’s theory of MD

Robertson & Robertson Opponents to Bowlby

Robertson & Robertson Poor Little John Task: While listening to the story of Little John, highlight any behaviours that Little John demonstrates, as a result of his deprivation.

It’s not all bad news though… Task: After reading the Summary of the Robertson's research. Write your own summary of their research findings.

Bowlby vs. The Robertsons Task: Complete the text argument between Bowlby and Joyce Robertson. Try to include the following key terms: Correlational Causation Retrospective data collection Observation Ecological Validity vs.

1. According to Bowlby’s MDH, breaking the maternal bond with a child in early life is likely to have serious effects on the child’s: a. Behavioural development b. Social development c. Emotional development d. All of the above 2. Bowlby came up with the MDH before his theory of attachment, by: a. 1 year b. 10 years c. 20 years d. 15 years 3. He also suggested that a mother and child’s relationship must occur during a critical period before the age of: a. 1 and a half b. 2 c. 2 and a half d. 3 4. Bowlby also highlighted the ‘concept of monotropy’. This is where the child needs to form a relationship with: a. One primary caregiver b. Two primary caregivers c. Two or more primary caregivers d. As many primary caregivers as possible 5. Bowlby famously quoted that “mother love in infancy is as important for mental health as”: a. Sunlight is for our happiness b. Love is for our physical health c. Vitamins and proteins for physical health d. None of the above 6. One piece of support for his theory was his own study on juvenile thieves. The aim of this study was to see if frequent early separations were associated with behavioural problems, in particular ‘affectionless psychopathy’. This is: a. When individuals take part in lots of criminal activity b. When individuals are incapable of loving other people c. When individuals have anger management issues d. When individuals have no sense of shame or guilt for doing something wrong 7. The participants in his study consisted of: a. 88 children, 40 had been referred to the clinic for stealing. Out of these 40 children, 16 were affectionless psychopaths b. 80 children, 40 had been referred to the clinic for stealing. Out of these 40 children, 20 were affectionless psychopaths c. 80 children, 44 had been referred to the clinic for stealing. Out of these 44 children, 20 were affectionless psychopaths d. 88 children, 44 had been referred to the clinic for stealing. Out of these 44 children, 16 were affectionless psychopaths 8. The research method(s) Bowlby used were: a. Interviews and questionnaires which was conducted on the children b. Interviews and questionnaires which was conducted on the children and their families c. Interviews which was conducted on the children and their families d. Questionnaires which was conducted on the children and their families 9. Bowlby found that: a. a) 86% of the thieves diagnosed as affectionless psychopaths had experienced early and prolonged separations from their mothers whereas only 17% of the other thieves had experienced such separations b. b) 90% of the thieves diagnosed as affectionless psychopaths had experienced early and prolonged separations from their mothers whereas only 50% of the other thieves had experienced such separations c. c) 20% of the thieves diagnosed as affectionless psychopaths had experienced early and prolonged separations from their mothers whereas only 90% of the other thieves had experienced such separations d. d)50% of the thieves diagnosed as affectionless psychopaths had experienced early and prolonged separations from their mothers whereas only 50% of the other thieves had experienced such separations

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