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Donald is two and a half years old - AQA - A-Level Psychology - Question 14 - 2019 - Paper 2
Question 14
Donald is two and a half years old. He was in hospital for two months. His parents found it difficult to spend a lot of time with him whilst he was in hospital. Whe... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Donald is two and a half years old - AQA - A-Level Psychology - Question 14 - 2019 - Paper 2
Step 1
Assess how far research into deprivation could explain the short-term effects of Donald's stay in hospital.
Answer
When a child suffers deprivation, they typically experience three stages: protest, despair, and detachment (Robertson, 1953). Donald, being two years old, may have cried for his mother when initially admitted to the hospital, expressing his distress in the protest stage.
According to Spitz (1946), children in institutions are particularly affected by being separated from their primary caregiver for extended periods. Since Donald was away for two months, he may not have had the necessary emotional support, leading to feelings of despair upon his return home. His crying and unhappiness could reflect this emotional turmoil.
Goldfarb (1955) noted that children who were raised in foster care often exhibit similar behaviors to those who are deprived of maternal affection, outlining that Donald's adjustments could be explained by his inability to form secure attachments during his hospitalization.
Step 2
Assess how far research into deprivation could explain the long-term effects of Donald's stay in hospital.
Answer
In the long term, Bowlby's (1944) research highlighted the potential for children to develop affectionless psychopathy if maternal deprivation occurs. As Donald grows, his experiences in the hospital could impact his ability to form secure relationships. This risk arises particularly due to the lack of emotional connection he experienced during his stay.
Olsavsky et al. (2013) demonstrate that prolonged deprivation can result in changes in brain structure, potentially leading to increased anxiety and difficulty in social interactions. Given that Donald’s mother was not consistently available, the emotional and behavioral effects could manifest later on, influencing his interactions with peers and authority figures. Thus, the implications of his hospital stay may echo throughout his childhood.