Disruptions of Attachment Bowlbys Maternal Deprivation Hypothesis Proposed before attachment theory Identify importance of emotional care in healthy

emotional development States that if infant cant develop continuous relationship with caregiver then child will have difficulty forming relationships and be at risk of faulty behaviour. Development of relationship had to develop within critical period (until 2.5 years)

Evidence for effects of deprivation 1. Bowlby: 44 thieves - 88 children (age 5-16) whod been referred to child guidance clinic where Bowlby worked - 44 had been referred for stealing - 16 of these were described as affectionless psychopaths (no shame or guilt) - Control group was other 44 kids - Children and family interviewed Findings: 86% of 16 had experienced early and prolonged separation from mothers 17% (28) of other thieves had experienced this 4% of control group had experienced this

Conclusion Suggests a link between early separation and emotional and social maladjustment Supports maternal deprivation hypothesis

Evaluation Correlation Collected retrospectively Researcher bias (blind procedure better) Control group have issues of their own Temperal validity

2. Spitz and Wolf - Observed that 100 normal children became severely depressed when placed in hospital. - Recovered well if separation less than 3 months. SUPPORTS BOWLBY. Proves that disruption in attachment can cause change in infants. But less than 3 months okay.

3.

The Robertsons filmed various children during short separations

John Spent 9 days in nursery Little interaction with staff Became frightened and withdrawn On mums return, tried to run away For later months, he had emotional issues like anger outbursts

SUPPORTS BOWLBY. Proves that disruption in attachment has major effects Foster children Validity o o o Naturalistic observations Robertson was meticulous in designing observations to reduce biasness Only case studies so not representative of all children and attachment Arranged for kids to visit mum in hospital Mentioned stories about mum Allowed to bring item from home to foster home Kids ate well and had good behaviour Happy to be reunited with mother after a few weeks

DISAGREES. Separation doesnt have to lead to deprivation as long as substitute care provided. 4. Skeels and Dye - Group of orphans raised in mentally retarded womens home - Control group in orphanage - IQs tested after 1.5 years - Found: o Control group IQ fell but transferred group IQ risen - Assessed 20 years later and effects still apparent DISAGREES. Separation doesnt have to have negative impact as long as substitute care provided

5. Bohman and Sigvardsson - Studied over 600 adopted children in Sweden. - Age of 11, 26% of them classified as problem children. - 10 years later, none were worse off than rest of population DISAGREES. Suggests early negative effects from disrupted attachments can be reversed.

Evaluation: Substitute care can prevent damage Effects can be reversed Much of evidence comes from children in institutions where theyre deprived in many ways so may not be maternal deprivation causing later development issues Bowlby doesnt distinguish between different kinds of deprivation. Child may have never formed an attachment to begin with (privation). Therefore studies may not be evidence for disruption