What is the 'Internal Working Model'?

A mental representation of the primary attachment relationship that acts as a template for all future relationships. Deprivation leads to a dysfunctional model.

What is the 'Critical Period' according to Bowlby?

The first 30 months (2.5 years) of a child's life. Bowlby argued that if a child is deprived of emotional care during this time, psychological damage is inevitable.

What is the primary difference between separation and deprivation in Bowlby's theory?

Separation is the physical absence of the caregiver, which is not harmful if substitute care is provided. Deprivation occurs when the child loses emotional care, leading to psychological harm.

How does deprivation differ from privation?

Deprivation is the loss of an attachment bond that was already formed. Privation is the failure to ever form an attachment bond in the first place, which often results in more severe developmental damage.

What is the difference between the critical period and the sensitive period in this theory?

The critical period is the first 2.5 years where damage is most likely and irreversible. The sensitive period extends to age 5, during which the child is still vulnerable but the risk is slightly lower.

Why is it a mistake to say that any time a mother leaves her child, deprivation occurs?

Deprivation only occurs if the separation is prolonged and there is no mother-substitute to provide emotional care. Short-term separations with adequate care do not result in deprivation.

What is a common misconception regarding the 'mother' in Bowlby's theory?

Many believe only the biological mother can provide care, but Bowlby specified a 'mother-substitute' can fulfill the role. The key is the consistency and quality of emotional care, not the biological link.

What error do students make when describing the 'irreversibility' of deprivation?

Students often forget that Bowlby viewed the damage as permanent if it occurred within the critical period. Later research challenged this, but within Bowlby's original theory, the effects are considered irreversible.

Define 'Affectionless Psychopathy'.

A clinical condition where an individual lacks the ability to feel guilt or empathy for others. This prevents them from forming deep relationships and is often linked to criminal behavior.

How does maternal deprivation affect intellectual development?

Deprivation during the critical period can lead to delayed cognitive growth and an abnormally low IQ. This is often observed in children raised in institutions without a primary caregiver.

Bowlby's Theory of Maternal Deprivation | AQA AS-Level Psychology

Bowlby's Theory of Maternal Deprivation

Summary

John Bowlby's 1951 theory posits that continuous emotional care from a mother or mother-substitute is essential for normal psychological development. The theory suggests that prolonged separation during a critical early window leads to irreversible long-term intellectual and emotional consequences, most notably affectionless psychopathy.

1. Definition & Core Concepts

Maternal Deprivation refers to the loss of emotional care that should be provided by a primary caregiver, typically the mother. Bowlby famously stated that 'mother-love in infancy and childhood is as important for mental health as are vitamins and proteins for physical health.'

The theory emphasizes that the quality of care is more important than mere physical presence. If a child is separated from their primary attachment figure and does not receive adequate substitute emotional care, they are 'deprived' of an essential element for healthy development.

A mother-substitute can prevent the negative effects of deprivation. As long as the child receives continuous, warm, and intimate emotional support from a consistent figure, the damage associated with maternal deprivation can be avoided.

Diagram showing the Critical Period (0-2.5 years) where the risk of psychological damage increases significantly if deprivation occurs without a substitute.

2. The Critical and Sensitive Periods

Bowlby identified a Critical Period of the first 30 months (2.5 years) of life for attachment formation. If a child is separated from their mother in the absence of suitable substitute care and so deprived of her emotional care for an extended period during this time, psychological damage is inevitable.

Beyond the critical period, Bowlby suggested a Sensitive Period lasting up to the age of five. While the risk is highest in the first 2.5 years, continued deprivation during this extended window can still lead to significant developmental issues.

The theory suggests that the damage caused during these periods is irreversible. Once the window for healthy emotional development has passed, the child may suffer permanent deficits in their ability to form relationships and regulate emotions.

3. Consequences of Deprivation

Intellectual Development: Children deprived of maternal care for too long during the critical period often suffer delayed intellectual development. This is frequently characterized by an abnormally low IQ, as the lack of stimulation and emotional security hinders cognitive growth.

Emotional Development: The most severe emotional consequence is Affectionless Psychopathy. This condition involves an inability to experience guilt or strong emotions for others, preventing the individual from developing normal relationships and often leading to impulsive or criminal behavior.

Deprivation also impacts the Internal Working Model. Because the child's first relationship is dysfunctional, they develop a template for future relationships that is characterized by insecurity, lack of trust, and poor social interaction.

4. Key Distinctions

5. Exam Strategy & Tips

6. Common Pitfalls & Misconceptions

Bowlby's Theory of Maternal Deprivation

Summary

1. Definition & Core Concepts

Diagram showing the Critical Period (0-2.5 years) where the risk of psychological damage increases significantly if deprivation occurs without a substitute.

2. The Critical and Sensitive Periods

3. Consequences of Deprivation

4. Key Distinctions

It is vital to distinguish between Separation and Deprivation. Separation simply means the child is not in the presence of the primary attachment figure; this only becomes deprivation if the child loses the element of emotional care.

Brief separations are not usually harmful for development, provided there is a substitute caregiver who can provide emotional support. Deprivation occurs only when the separation is extended and the emotional bond is effectively severed.

Concept	Definition	Impact
Separation	Physical absence of the caregiver for a period of time.	Minimal if substitute care is provided.
Deprivation	Loss of emotional care and the attachment bond.	Severe long-term psychological damage.
Privation	Failure to ever form an attachment bond in the first place.	Often more severe than deprivation.

5. Exam Strategy & Tips

Check the terminology: Always distinguish between 'separation' (short-term) and 'deprivation' (long-term loss of care). Marks are often lost by using these terms interchangeably.
The 44 Thieves Study: When discussing evidence, remember that this study specifically linked maternal deprivation to 'affectionless psychopathy.' Ensure you can explain the correlation between early separation and later criminal behavior.
The Role of the Substitute: Always mention that a mother-substitute can mitigate the effects. Bowlby did not say the biological mother is the only one who can provide care, but that the care must be continuous and emotional.
Critical vs. Sensitive: Be precise with the timeframes. The 'Critical Period' is 0-2.5 years, while the 'Sensitive Period' extends to age 5.

6. Common Pitfalls & Misconceptions

A common misconception is that Bowlby believed any separation leads to damage. In reality, he emphasized that prolonged separation without a substitute is the catalyst for deprivation.

Students often confuse Deprivation (losing an attachment) with Privation (never having one). While Bowlby's theory focused on the loss of a bond, later researchers like Rutter argued that the most severe cases of 'deprivation' were actually 'privation.'

Another pitfall is assuming the effects are purely emotional. Remember to include intellectual retardation (low IQ) as a primary consequence of maternal deprivation.