Evaluation of Bowlby's maternal deprivation theory

Evaluation of Bowlby's theory

1. Supported by own theory

   • 44 juvenile thieves
   • criticised
     • methodology
       • validity
         • retrospective
       • generalisability
         • nope
       • experimenter bias

2. better understanding of importance of maintaining atachments

   • applied in children's wards
     • better care
     • faster recovery
   • children in care better looked after

3. led to unnecessary guilt

   • mothers who need to work
   • suggesting even part-time care by someone else is detrimental for the child

4. Doesn't take into account important bond between father and child

   • bit sexist
   • show how relationship with father is v. important

5. Other studies

   • Rutter
     • consequence of deprivation weren't as extreme, consistent or irreversible like Bowlby suggested
   • Schaffer and Emerson
   • Shown children form multiple attachments
   • Quality of care is important not just continuity

6. Affectionless psychopathy

   • Due to lack (privation) not loss (deprivation) of attachment

7. Intellectual delay stems from the lack of cognitive stimulation rather than emotional deprivation