maternal deprivation

maternal deprivation

1. theory of maternal deprivation 1951

   • the continuous presence of nurture from a mother is important for normal psychological development both emotionally and intellectually
     • being separated from the mother in the early stages of childhood can lead to consequences such as matenal deprivation

2. separation vs depriavtion

   • separation= child isn't in the presence of the primary attachment figure
   • deprivation = child has lost the element of a primary attachment figures care
   • extended separation can lead to deprivation

3. critical period

   • 30 months
   • if the child is separated from the mother/ emotional care in the critical period it can lead to psychological damage

4. effects on development

   • mental retardation
     • Goldfarb 1947 found the children who were fostered had a higher IQ thatn those kept in the institution
   • affectionless psychopathy - the inability to experience guilt or empathy
   • prevents development of normal relationships and is associated with criminality

5. 44 thieves

   • 44 criminal teenagers were interviewed for signs of A.P
     • the family was also asked if the individual had experienced prolonged separation from mother
     • the control group were non-criminal but had emotional disturbances
   • found 14/44 had experienced had signs of AP and 12/14 had experienced separation
     • only 2 of the control group had experienced separation
   • concluded prolonged separation can lead to A.P

6. evaluations

   • sensitive period rather than critical
     • research suggested that damage isn't inevitable as even severe maternal deprivation still had good outcomes of social interaction and aftercare. Koluchava 1976 looked at twin boys who were isolated from 18 months to 7 years by being locked in the cupboard by the stepmother. after being looked after by 2 loving adults they fully recovered. this then shows the period identified may be sensitive not critical
   • counter evidence
     • lewis 1954 replicated the 44 thieves study with 500 individuals who had a history of prolonged separation and didn't predict criminality or difficulty forming new relationships. this is a problem as it suggests other factors could affect the outcome of early maternal deprivation
   • animal studies show effects of maternal deprivation
     • levy et al 2003 separated baby rats away from the mother for a day and it lead to permanent effects on social development but not other aspects of development
   • evidence may be poor
     • There are different sources of maternal deprivation such as traumatised war orphans with poor aftercare or children in poor quality institutes who were deprived of care. however, the 44 thieves study is biased as Bowlby carried it out himself so he knew what he hoped to find