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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
Research indicates that children who experience deprivation may go through three stages: protest, despair, and detachment (Robertson, 1953). When Donald was in the hospital, he may have shown signs of distress, such as crying frequently and craving the presence of his mother, reflecting the initial protest phase.
Spitz (1946) found that children deprived of maternal care for three months or more exhibited significant emotional issues. Donald was deprived of his parents for two months, which, while alarming, may not be as detrimental as longer deprivation. Given that he was over two years old, he likely has some emotional capacity that could mitigate long-term distress.
Parents' observations upon his return suggest he experienced signs of despair, as he was less happy than before his hospital stay. This aligns with findings from Goldfarb (1955), who noted that children adopted or fostered after such experiences often struggled with emotional connections due to previous deprival of maternal bonding.
Step 2
Assess how far research into deprivation could explain the long-term effects of Donald's stay in hospital.
Answer
The long-term effects of deprivation can be severe, as observed by Bowlby (1944), who indicated that lack of maternal care could lead to feelings of delinquency and affectionless psychopathy. Donald's future behavior may be affected if he does not reestablish a strong bond with his parents and develop trust.
Olsavsky et al. (2013) highlight that children deprived of maternal care might face challenges, particularly in emotional and social situations. If Donald continues to cry and appear distressed, it may indicate lasting emotional wounds from his hospital stay.
To mitigate these potential long-term effects, ensuring that Donald receives adequate emotional support from his parents and caregivers is essential. Tailored attention and care during this transitional period could help restore his emotional stability, aligning with the insights of Robertson (1953), who recommended personalized care for children facing such deprivation.