Deprivation and Privation

    OCR
    GCSE

    This area of study examines the disruption of attachment bonds, distinguishing between deprivation (loss of an existing bond) and privation (failure to form any bond). Central to this is Bowlby’s Maternal Deprivation Hypothesis (1951) and the subsequent challenge provided by Rutter’s research into institutionalisation, specifically the English and Romanian Adoptee (ERA) study. Candidates must assess the short-term effects (separation anxiety, PDD model) and long-term consequences (affectionless psychopathy, disinhibited attachment, intellectual underfunctioning). Crucially, the scope includes the debate on reversibility and the shift from a 'critical period' to a 'sensitive period' in developmental psychology.

    5
    Objectives
    4
    Exam Tips
    4
    Pitfalls
    3
    Key Terms
    4
    Mark Points

    Learning Objectives

    What you need to know and understand

    • Bowlby's 44 Thieves Study (1944): 14 affectionless psychopaths
    • Maternal Deprivation Hypothesis: Intellectual retardation and affectionless psychopathy
    • Robertson and Bowlby (1952): PDD Model (Protest, Despair, Detachment)
    • Curtiss (1977): Case of Genie (Privation and language development)
    • Rutter's critique: Distinction between deprivation and privation

    Example Examiner Feedback

    Real feedback patterns examiners use when marking

    • "You defined deprivation correctly, but failed to contrast it with privation as required by the question"
    • "Excellent recall of the 44 Thieves study; now critique the retrospective nature of the data"
    • "You applied the theory to the scenario, but missed the specific stage of the PDD model shown in the text"
    • "Your evaluation is generic; link your critique specifically to the unique limitations of case study methodology"

    Marking Points

    Key points examiners look for in your answers

    • Award marks for explicit distinction between deprivation (loss of existing bond) and privation (failure to form bond)
    • Credit accurate citation of Bowlby's 44 Thieves findings: specifically that 12 of 14 affectionless psychopaths experienced separation
    • Evaluation must assess the validity of case studies (e.g., Genie) regarding generalisability and ethics
    • Responses must link the PDD model (Protest, Despair, Detachment) directly to the behaviour described in the scenario

    Examiner Tips

    Expert advice for maximising your marks

    • 💡In 'Discuss' questions, structure paragraphs with one theory/study followed immediately by a critique (PEEL structure)
    • 💡Use the 'Scenario' explicitly in AO2 questions; quote the text to prove application
    • 💡Differentiate clearly between 'separation' (physical distance) and 'deprivation' (emotional loss of care)
    • 💡Memorise specific figures from the 44 Thieves study to access top-band AO1 marks

    Common Mistakes

    Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

    • Conflating short-term separation effects (PDD) with long-term consequences (Maternal Deprivation Hypothesis)
    • Stating that deprivation causes 'psychopathy' without the specific qualifier 'affectionless'
    • Failing to acknowledge Rutter's counter-argument that privation effects can be reversed with quality care
    • Describing the events of a study (narrative) rather than evaluating its methodology or findings

    Study Guide Available

    Comprehensive revision notes & examples

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    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

    Likely Command Words

    How questions on this topic are typically asked

    Identify
    Describe
    Explain
    Discuss
    Evaluate
    Compare

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