Introduction: What Happens When Attachment is Broken?
In our previous lessons, we looked at how babies form bonds with their caregivers. But what happens if that bond is never formed, or if it is broken? This chapter explores Bowlby’s Theory of Maternal Deprivation and the effects of institutionalisation (living in places like orphanages). Understanding these topics helps us see just how important early emotional care is for a child's future.
Don’t worry if this seems a lot to take in—we will break it down step-by-step!
1. Bowlby’s Theory of Maternal Deprivation
John Bowlby (who we met in the "Monotropic Theory" chapter) argued that a continuous relationship with a mother-figure is essential for normal psychological development. If this bond is broken during the early years, it leads to long-lasting negative consequences.
Separation vs. Deprivation
It is important to know the difference between these two terms:
• Separation: This is when the child is not in the presence of the primary caregiver. Short separations are usually fine, as long as there is a substitute to provide emotional care.
• Deprivation: This happens when the child loses the element of emotional care. This occurs if separations are frequent or long-term, and no substitute care is provided. Bowlby said that deprivation is what causes the real damage.
The Critical Period
Bowlby believed there is a critical period for attachment. He stated that if a child is deprived of emotional care for an extended period during the first \(30\) months (the first \(2.5\) years) of their life, psychological damage is inevitable.
Effects on Development
Bowlby identified two main areas where maternal deprivation causes harm:
1. Intellectual Development: Children deprived of maternal care for too long may suffer from delayed intellectual development, often characterized by an abnormally low \(IQ\).
2. Emotional Development: Bowlby identified affectionless psychopathy as a major consequence. This is the inability to experience guilt or strong emotion for others. It makes it difficult for individuals to form deep relationships and is often linked to criminal behavior because they do not feel remorse for their victims.
Quick Tip: Think of a plant. If you stop watering it (deprivation) during its early growth (critical period), it won't just stop growing; it will suffer permanent damage that can't be fully fixed later!
Key Takeaway: Continuous emotional care is vital. Without it during the first \(2.5\) years, a child may suffer permanent intellectual and emotional damage.
2. Institutionalisation
Institutionalisation refers to the effects of growing up in an institution, such as an orphanage or a children's home, where children often receive very little emotional care or individual attention.
The English and Romanian Adoptees (ERA) Project
Psychologists have studied children from Romanian orphanages to see the effects of extreme institutionalisation. In the \(1990\)s, many Romanian orphans lived in terrible conditions with very little food and almost no emotional interaction. The English and Romanian Adoptees project followed a group of these children who were adopted by families in the UK.
Key Findings from the Project:
1. Intellectual Disability: When the children first arrived in the UK, most showed signs of delayed intellectual development. However, those adopted before the age of \(6\) months caught up with their British peers by age \(4\). Those adopted after \(6\) months continued to have lower \(IQ\) scores and required more support.
2. Disinhibited Attachment: Many children adopted after \(6\) months showed a specific attachment style called disinhibited attachment. They were equally friendly and clingy toward people they knew well and complete strangers. They didn't show the "stranger anxiety" that is normal for their age.
Why did this happen? In the institutions, the children had so many different carers (who they never saw for long) that they never had the chance to form one strong, secure attachment.
General Effects of Institutionalisation
From various studies, including the ERA project, we know that institutionalisation often leads to:
• Physical underdevelopment: Often called "deprivation dwarfism," where children are physically smaller due to a lack of emotional care (not just lack of food).
• Poor parenting skills later in life: Research suggests that people who grew up in institutions often struggle to parent their own children effectively later on.
Did you know? The ERA project is a natural experiment because researchers didn't choose who got adopted; they just observed the results of adoptions that were already happening!
Key Takeaway: Living in an institution can lead to disinhibited attachment and intellectual delays. However, the damage can often be recovered if a child is adopted into a loving home before the age of \(6\) months.
3. Evaluation: Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
Real-World Application: This research has changed how children are cared for in hospitals and orphanages. For example, mothers are now encouraged to stay with their children in hospital, and adoption agencies try to get babies into foster or adoptive homes as early as possible.
Weaknesses
Individual Differences: Not all children are affected by deprivation or institutionalisation in the same way. Some children are more resilient and can recover even after very poor early experiences.
Sensitive vs. Critical Period: Many psychologists now believe Bowlby was too strict about the "critical period." They prefer the term sensitive period, suggesting that while it is harder to form attachments later, it is not impossible.
Quick Review Box
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
• Don't confuse separation (being apart) with deprivation (loss of emotional care).
• Make sure to remember the \(6\)-month cutoff for the Romanian orphans—this is the "magic number" for better recovery!
• Remember that "Affectionless Psychopathy" is the specific term for the emotional damage caused by maternal deprivation.
Final Summary
Bowlby's theory tells us that losing emotional care in early childhood can lead to low \(IQ\) and affectionless psychopathy. Studies of institutionalisation, like the English and Romanian Adoptees project, show us that while these effects are serious, they can often be reversed if the child is placed in a stable, caring environment early enough (ideally before \(6\) months). This highlights the massive importance of early, secure attachments for a happy and healthy life!