Outline and evaluate the effects of disruption of attachment

Bowlby found that 32% of thieves were classified with affectionless psychopathy. This is when they are unable to form lasting relationships or care about others due to a lack of normal affection. He also found that a further 86% of the thieves 0classed with affectionless psychopathy had suffered maternal deprivation before the age of 5, and that only 17% of the thieves had never suffered from maternal deprivation. He also found that none of the controls were classed as affectionless psychopaths. In conclusion, Bowlby stated that the 44 thieves study clearly showed that there was a link between maternal deprivation at a young age leading to emotional maladjustment in later life, and that if an attachment is broken it can cause irreversible negative effects.

However in evaluation there are some issues with the study. Firstly, it is impossible to establish a cause and effect link between maternal deprivation and emotional maladjustment. We can only say there is a link, as it is not proven that maternal deprivation is manipulated by just one variable. It is likely that a 3rd variable may have an impact, for example poverty because if someone is poor they could be more likely to steal. This was Rutter’s argument.

In addition, Bowlby’s study was also carried out using highly detailed case studies. Whilst these provided a rich source of detailed information, they were triangulated. This is dangerous as case studies are unique to the case/person being studied and therefore should not be generalized.

Lastly, the 44 juvenile thieves study is also prone to a lot of researcher bias. Bowlby conducted all the psychiatric assessments himself and coined the term affectionless psychopathy. He also knew if the children belonged to the thief group or the controls, and so his findings may have been influenced by his expectations. It is likely that he wanted to prove that there was a link between maternal deprivation and emotional maladjustment. This would undermine the validity of the study.