Deprivation
Deprivation is when the attachment between an infant and primary caregiver is broken. Deprivation can be short term, such as through hospitalisation, where the child and primary caregiver are separated, or long term such as divorce where one parent leaves the home
Bowlby’s Maternal Deprivation Hypothesis:
1. It states the relationship must be continuous
2. This continuous relationship must arise in a critical period (before 2 years)
3. Breaking of the bond during this time can result in affectionless psychopathy
4. The effects of deprivation are irreversible
5. Experiencing deprivation results in a poor internal working model, and will affect all future relationships
Supporting evidence
Bowlby (1944) 44 juvenile thieves study showed that deprivation in early life could result in affectionless character - 12/14 boys who experience deprivation were categorised as affectionless
Spitz (1946) found that hospitalised children suffered extreme depression if they remained in care, which he called hospitalism. This resulted in the death of some children.
- However Spitz said this was due to lack of stimulation rather than deprivation
Goldfarb (1955) found that children fostered before 6 months were more emotionally stable, secure and intelligent adolescents than those who were adopted around the age of 3.
Opposing evidence
Rutter (1981) found that it was the cause of the separation and not the separation itself that caused problems. Children who experience death of a parent fared better than children whose parents had gone through a high conflict divorce.
Daycare is classed as a form of deprivation however for some children this leads to better social skills, which goes against the MDH
For evaluation you can also use some of the attachment evaluation points e.g. multiple attachments, changes to hospital visiting hours
Short term deprivation:
The Robertson’s showed that children separated from the primary caregiver went through three stages:
· Protest – crying, anger and fear
· Despair – urgent crying
· Detachment –child appears to give up and stops crying and protesting.
This was based on cases such as those of Laura and John, who were filmed during their stay in hospital.
Long term deprivation:
Divorce is a form of deprivation due to one parent leaving and excess periods of absence. Families may also become reconstituted. Death is a permanent form of deprivation and feelings will differ to those of divorce.
Reducing effects of deprivation:
· Robertson’s ‘Jane’ – providing a substitute attachment figure meant that when reunited with the primary caregiver Jane accepted her and did not go through PDD
· Providing more individual care – Spitz suggests this is the reason for problems, if children are given more attention and simulating environments this could minimise the effects
· Coping with divorce – routines should remain the same, conflict kept away from the child, older children should be given the opportunity to discuss things, contact with the absent parent should remain
· Keeping daycare to a minimum until the child is 2 years old
· Children should be allowed to talk about the death of a parent and visit the grave to reduce effects of deprivation
Deprivation is when the attachment between an infant and primary caregiver is broken. Deprivation can be short term, such as through hospitalisation, where the child and primary caregiver are separated, or long term such as divorce where one parent leaves the home
Bowlby’s Maternal Deprivation Hypothesis:
1. It states the relationship must be continuous
2. This continuous relationship must arise in a critical period (before 2 years)
3. Breaking of the bond during this time can result in affectionless psychopathy
4. The effects of deprivation are irreversible
5. Experiencing deprivation results in a poor internal working model, and will affect all future relationships
Supporting evidence
Bowlby (1944) 44 juvenile thieves study showed that deprivation in early life could result in affectionless character - 12/14 boys who experience deprivation were categorised as affectionless
Spitz (1946) found that hospitalised children suffered extreme depression if they remained in care, which he called hospitalism. This resulted in the death of some children.
- However Spitz said this was due to lack of stimulation rather than deprivation
Goldfarb (1955) found that children fostered before 6 months were more emotionally stable, secure and intelligent adolescents than those who were adopted around the age of 3.
Opposing evidence
Rutter (1981) found that it was the cause of the separation and not the separation itself that caused problems. Children who experience death of a parent fared better than children whose parents had gone through a high conflict divorce.
Daycare is classed as a form of deprivation however for some children this leads to better social skills, which goes against the MDH
For evaluation you can also use some of the attachment evaluation points e.g. multiple attachments, changes to hospital visiting hours
Short term deprivation:
The Robertson’s showed that children separated from the primary caregiver went through three stages:
· Protest – crying, anger and fear
· Despair – urgent crying
· Detachment –child appears to give up and stops crying and protesting.
This was based on cases such as those of Laura and John, who were filmed during their stay in hospital.
Long term deprivation:
Divorce is a form of deprivation due to one parent leaving and excess periods of absence. Families may also become reconstituted. Death is a permanent form of deprivation and feelings will differ to those of divorce.
Reducing effects of deprivation:
· Robertson’s ‘Jane’ – providing a substitute attachment figure meant that when reunited with the primary caregiver Jane accepted her and did not go through PDD
· Providing more individual care – Spitz suggests this is the reason for problems, if children are given more attention and simulating environments this could minimise the effects
· Coping with divorce – routines should remain the same, conflict kept away from the child, older children should be given the opportunity to discuss things, contact with the absent parent should remain
· Keeping daycare to a minimum until the child is 2 years old
· Children should be allowed to talk about the death of a parent and visit the grave to reduce effects of deprivation