AO3 - Maternal Deprivation

AO3 - Maternal Deprivation

1. Strength

   • P: Supporting evidence that demonstrates early maternal deprivation increases the vulnerability of an individual
     • E: Bifulco et al (1992) - 25% of women who experienced maternal deprivation experienced depression or anxiety compared to 15% with no maternal deprivation. Mental health greater in those who lost mother before age 6.
       • E: Maternal deprivation has greater impacts on emotional development as these women suffered higher percentages of long-lasting emotional issues such as depression.
         • L: Acts as validation for the emotional impacts of maternal deprivation, which increases validity of theory

2. Limitation

   • P: Refuting evidence for 44 thieves study
     • E: Lewis (1954) replicated study on larger scale with 500 people. Found that maternal separation did not lead to emotional impacts that Bowlby stated e.g. criminality and inability to form healthy bonds
       • E: suggests other factors are involved in the formation of emotional attachments in the future aside from M.D. M.D incomplete explanation of attachment behaviour and criminality
         • L: Reduces validity of study, and therefore the theory

3. Limitation

   • P: Critical period may not be correct
     • E: Koluchova twins isolated from 18 months to 7 years. Stepmom locked them in cupboard. However, when given the care of two loving adults, they recovered fully
       • E: Early life is 'sensitive period' not critical. Although important for attachment formation and emotional development, not the only opportunity for important attachments to form.
         • L: Decreases validity of Bowlby's theory as it is based on the notion of critical period.