Discuss Bowlby’s theory of maternal deprivation as an explanation of developmental difficulties.
Updated: 6 days ago
Question 10 Mark Scheme
Discuss Bowlby’s theory of maternal deprivation as an explanation of developmental difficulties.
[16 marks]
What is expected in the answer?
The command word “discuss” requires students to explain Bowlby’s theory of maternal deprivation and then evaluate how successfully deprivation explains later intellectual, emotional and social difficulties. For 16 marks, students should explain the critical period, prolonged or accumulated separation and predicted consequences, then consider research support, contradictory evidence, the distinction between deprivation and privation, practical implications and socially sensitive issues.
Bowlby’s theory of maternal deprivation is explicitly required by the current specification.
Marks for this question: AO1 = 6, AO3 = 10
The June 2023 examination included a 16-mark maternal deprivation question with a scenario, which allocated AO1 = 6, AO2 = 4 and AO3 = 6. As this version contains no application requirement, an appropriate 16-mark allocation is AO1 = 6 and AO3 = 10.
Level | Marks | Description |
4 | 13–16 | Knowledge of Bowlby’s theory of maternal deprivation and the proposed developmental difficulties is accurate and generally well detailed. Discussion is thorough and effective, with research evidence and theoretical, practical and/or socially sensitive issues clearly related to the theory. The answer is clear, coherent and focused, with effective use of specialist terminology. |
3 | 9–12 | Knowledge of maternal deprivation is evident but there may be occasional inaccuracies or omissions. Discussion is mostly effective and relevant evidence is used appropriately, although some points may lack development. |
2 | 5–8 | Limited knowledge of maternal deprivation is present. The response is mainly descriptive and discussion is only partly effective. Research may be described without clearly relating it to Bowlby’s explanation of developmental difficulties. |
1 | 1–4 | Knowledge is very limited or muddled. There may be confusion between deprivation and privation or between maternal deprivation and Bowlby’s monotropic theory. Discussion is limited, poorly focused or absent. |
0 | 0 | No relevant content. |
Indicative content
AO1: Bowlby’s theory of maternal deprivation
Credit relevant knowledge such as:
Bowlby argued that normal psychological development depends on a child having a close relationship with a mother figure.
Maternal deprivation occurs when this important relationship is disrupted through prolonged or repeated separation.
Bowlby believed the effects were particularly serious if deprivation occurred during an early critical period.
Accumulated periods of separation could also have damaging effects.
Prolonged deprivation during the critical period was proposed to result in later developmental difficulties.
The June 2023 mark scheme identifies the absence of a mother figure, the critical period and prolonged or accumulated separation as central features of the theory.
Critical period
Credit relevant explanation such as:
Bowlby proposed that there is an early critical period during which continued attachment to a mother figure is particularly important.
Disruption during this period was believed to place the child at greater risk of long-term developmental difficulties.
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