Bowlby's theory of maternal deprivation
Bowlby argued that separating a child from their main caregiver during early childhood causes permanent damage to the child's mental and intellectual development.
Real World
Bowlby's 44 Juvenile Thieves study found that 14 of the young offenders classified as 'affectionless psychopaths' had experienced prolonged maternal separation before age two, compared with almost none in the non-thief control group.
Exam Focus
Distinguish deprivation (loss of an attachment figure) from privation (never forming an attachment) — examiners penalise confusion.
Evaluation Scaffold
A four-step framework for high-quality evaluation. Use this for 'assess', 'evaluate', and 'to what extent' questions.
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