Critical Discussion of Bowlby

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Critical discussion & Evaluation of Bowlby’s views on the effects of maternal deprivation

By Kendra Pinder

Bowlby’s theory of “Maternal deprivation” was founded on the hypothesis, that if a child is detached on a physical and emotional level from its primary carer. (In this case the mother) that this will have long term affects emotionally for that child. This detachment according to Bowlby would see an increase in disruptive and deviant behaviour, as well as a detachment between themselves and their children in the future, even going as far as to suggest that a child that is affected by the detachment of its mother, could possibly child grow into an” affectionless psychopath” lacking any social conscience.

Bowlby’s foundation for his theory was based on the research of a group of children who had been referred to his clinic for stealing (juvenile thieves), according to Bowlby’s research of this group, he found that 32% of them were indeed lacking any conscious understanding or empathy towards the society in which they inhabited and was part of.

86% apparently had indeed experienced early separation (if only for a week before the age of 5) and in contrast only 17% of these children had not been deprived during their early years.

On this basis Bowlby claimed that maternal deprivation would have the following consequences on the child emotionally and physically-Aggressiveness, Depression, Delinquency, Dependency anxiety (clinging), Dwarfism (retarded growth), Affectionless psychopathy (showing no feelings for others), Intellectual retardation and Social maladjustment.

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Shumaker echoes Bowlby’s findings He states that “The structure of the family and home environments are very important in the development of the child” He believed that within early childhood if detachment happens from the main caregiver of that child. They do not have the same security within their known environment, nor the same emotional support. This then will have long term developmental and social affects on that child’s later years. These children will become young delinquents and in adult years criminals.

Glueck and Glueck have also researched the possible causes of delinquency and through their findings found supportive evidence ...

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