Psychology

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Hodges and Tizard 1989 (Privation)

Procedure:

Longitudinal study

Natural experiment

followed group of 65 children placed in institutional care when less than 4 months old

Caregivers in the home were told not to form attachments with the children

Children were assessed at regular intervals

Some children stayed in the institution, some were adopted, some were returned (restored) to their birth family

Aim: to observe the effects of institutional care on children physical and emotional health

Results:

70% of children were not able to care deeply about anyone

The restored children (back with their birth family) were less likely to form attachments

The adopted children did better, they were as closely attached to parents as a control group of "normal" children

However, all the institutional children had trouble with peer relationship. Most, if not all children had experience early privation.

Conclusion:

Early privation had a negative effect on the ability to form a relationship, even when good substitute care was given. This supports Bowlby proposal of a sensitive period and the continuity hypothesis

Evaluation:

We can't be sure children didn't have early attachment- we may be looking at bond disruption rather than privation

The study is out of date- Children homes have changed dramatically since then. Also adoption are carried out very early. There is an emphasis on providing good substitute emotional care.

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