19. Romanian Orphan Studies (Rutter) AO1 Flashcards
What is disinhibited attachment?
The child is equally friendly and affectionate towards people they know well or who are strangers this may be an adaptation to multiple caregivers
What is the effects of institutionalisation on intellectual development
Institutionalised children often show signs of mental retardation
When is mental retardation not present in an institutionalised child?
If they are adopted before six months old
What did the researchers do in Rutter et al’s study?
The researchers have followed a group of 165 Romanian orphans who experienced very poor conditions before being adopted in Britain
What kind of study was Rutter et al’s research?
Longitudinal study
What did Rutter et al’s research test?
This study tested the extent to which good care can make up for poor early experiences in institutions
What was Rutter et al’s procedure?
Physical, cognitive and emotional development have been assessed on the adopted orphans at ages 4, 6, 11 and 15.
Who else did Rutter et al’s researchers follow?
The study also followed a control group of 52 adopted British children
What was seen in the children when they came to the UK?
Half of the orphans showed mental retardation when they came to the UK
When would children’s recovery rates related to that age of adoption
At 11 years old
What was done when the children reached 11 years old?
Recovery rates were related to that age of adoption
What was found in those adopted before six months?
They had a mean IQ of 102
What was found in those adopted between six months and two years old?
They had a mean IQ of 86
What was found in those adopted after two years?
They had a mean IQ of 77
What did Rutter et al find?
Frequency of disinhibited attachment related to the age of adoption
