James & Joyce Robertson The Robertsons did a case study on a 17 month old boy called "John".

John was sent to a residential nursery for 9 days in 1948 whilst his mother went into hospital to have another baby. Father worked, and there were no relations nearby to help care for John. The other children in the nursery were aged 15 months to 2 years. At the start of his stay John tried to get the attention of the nurses but they were busy giving attention to more demanding children. John then became angry and cried pitifully he begged his father on his visits to take him home. He started to refuse food and did not sleep, being very distressed. He then stopped seeking attention and played with toys, in particular a teddy. When he came home, he did not want comfort and did not want to know his mother. He became Emotionally Isolated. The Robertsons identified three stages: Distress Despair Detachment However, the Robertsons later re-thought their conclusions. The studied other children with the same sequence of events, but the situation was handled differently. Thomas was fostered temporarily at 28 months while his mother had another baby. This time, Thomas was introduced to the foster parents before he stayed with them. They came to his house, he visited them and got to know them. When Thomas went to stay with the foster parents he was allowed to bring his favourite toys and a pie he had made with his mother. He had few problems with food or sleeping and settled quickly. Play therapy was used to explain what was happening to him and he visited his mother in hospital.

Thomas was a little reserved when he returned home, but in a very short time had resumed normal life. The Robertsons concluded that it is not separation, but the method of separation that makes the difference.