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Maternal Deprivation Theory

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Attachment is an emotional bond between an infant and their primary caregiver (usually the mother). The interactions between the caregiver and the infant are seen as important parts which help their relationship to develop and to maintain the attachment, (Psychology Today, 2017). This emotional bond is a strong feeling that a person (infant) have for another person (caregiver) and it could be vital for a child`s normal behaviour and social development.
John Bowlby studied and expanded the concept of attachment and came to the conclusion that attachment represents in the early years of life, a behavioural system which its goal is to maintain the closeness of primary caregiver with the infant. He argues that emotional connections between a child …show more content…

A critique of the maternal deprivation hypothesis came from the psychiatrist Michael Rutter (1981) who argued that it is important to know that there is a difference between deprivation and privation, where in the former the settled, maternal care is lost whereas in the latter the affectional bond has never been there. Evidences indicate that children who were in long-term institutional care since soon after birth are more likely to have problems when it comes to making relationships in later childhood, compared to children who were raised by their mothers at least the first year of life, (Cowie, 1995). These tend to be more friendly and have the ability to maintain some sort of relationship with others. Otherwise, this are the characteristics which describe Alex`s …show more content…

The evolutionary theory of attachment might give some good explanations when it comes to the contrasting behaviour of the siblings Lucy and Alex. Because of the strong connection they had formed or not with their mother, their behaviour is different. On the other hand, there is the nurture side of attachment which could explain the fact that Lucy behaves like this because it is a response of what she received or not from the people around her, especially her mother such as feedback on her performance, e.g. approval or encouragement, (McLeod,

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