Adoption Studies

Question 1

When are adoption studies usually carried out?

Answer 1

To evaluate the nature vs nurture argument

Question 2

Which 2 theorists are usually used in adoption studies?

Answer 2

Cadoret and Stewart (1991)

Question 3

What did Cadoret and Stewart (1991) discover?

Answer 3

• Adopted boys are at an increased risk of attention deficit/hyperactivity and aggression if they have a biological parent convicted of crime in adulthood
• Boys are more likely to be aggressive if their adoptive families have psychiatric problems

Question 4

Give four advantages of adoption studies

Answer 4

• Aids in the nature vs nurture argument
• Adoption data bases can be accessed again and again
• Case studies - high in ecological validity
• Twins often grow up in the same environment so can measure the effects of environment and genetics

Question 5

Give four disadvantages of adoption studies

Answer 5

• Impossible to completely separate nature and nurture
• Children are often adopted into backgrounds similar to their own
• Children often aren’t immediately adopted
• Twins have different experiences and friends