Attachment: Romanian orphan studies - Effects of institutionalisation Flashcards
What is institutionalisation?
the effects of institutional care e.g. social, mental + physical underdevelopment
Who conducted the study on Romanian orphans?
Rutter and Sonuga – Barke (2010)
What was the aim of Rutter and Sonuga – Barke’s research?
To investigate the effects of institutionalisation in Romanian children who spent their early lives in Romanian orphanages.
What was the procedure of Rutter and Sonuga – Barke’s research?
165 Romanian children who spent their early lives in institutions.
111 were adopted before 2 ½ years, 54 were adopted before the age of 4.
The adoptees were tested at regular intervals (ages 4,6,11 and 15) to asses their physical, cognitive and social development.
Their progress was compared to a control group of 52 British counterparts in the UK. Before the age of 6 months who were adopted before the age of 6 months.
What were the findings of Rutter and Sonuga – Barke’s research?
The Romanian orphans lagged behind on all measures of physical, cognitive and social development. They were physically smaller, weighed less and were classified as mentally retarded. By the age of 4, some children had caught up with their British counterparts this was true for almost all orphans who were adopted before the age of 6 months. Those who remained in institutions longer than 6 months had significant deficits such as disinhibited attachments and problems with peer relationships.
What were the 4 AO3 points for Rutter and Sonuga – Barke’s research?
+Further research into the effects of institutionalisation on Romanian children.
+RLA
+/-Experimental design
-Low validity
(+AO3) What the further research into the effects of institutionalisation on Romanian children?
Strange Situation – compares Romanians with 90% of childhood institutional care to children with 0% of childhood in institutional care. Institutional children showed disinhibited attachment.
(+AO3) Why does Rutter and Sonuga – Barke’s research have RLA?
Improves care of orphaned children —> more emotional care in institutions which prevents the effects of institutionalisation. It also heightened the importance of early adoption which allows for secure attachment and normal development.
(+/- AO3) Why is the experimental design both a strength and a weakness?
Natural experiment allows for investigation of unique phenomenon. However, a lack of IV control. Can’t manipulate early deprivation and other factors e.g. individual differences. Affects validity and reliability.
(-AO3) Why did Rutter and Sonuga – Barke’s research have low validity?
Population validity. Romanian – only sample so is difficult to generalise. Institutions and attachment may be different elsewhere which also results in external validity issues. However, if attachment is an innate process as suggested by Lorenz’s research this shouldn’t be much of an issue.
