Bowlby: Attachment and Maternal Deprivation

In the 1930s, John Bowlby observed that many emotionally disturbed children had been separated from their mothers. He developed attachment theory, suggesting that children have an innate need to bond with a caregiver. Influenced by ethology, particularly Konrad Lorenz's geese study, Bowlby proposed that attachment is biologically programmed. He identified a critical period for forming attachments and introduced the continuity hypothesis, linking early attachment experiences to future relationships. His controversial maternal deprivation theory suggested that breaking the attachment bond could lead to mental health issues, as illustrated by his study of 44 juvenile thieves. Despite criticisms, Bowlby's work significantly influenced child development perspectives.

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