Chapter 3 Attachment - Romanian orphan studies: Institutionalisation

Question 1

Research of institutionalisation - Rutter et al. research?

Answer 1

ERA project studied 165 Romanian orphans adopted in UK later showed low IQ & disinhibited attachment.

Question 2

Research of institutionalisation - Zeanah et al. research?

Answer 2

BEI project found secure attachment in 19% of institutional groups (74% in controls), disinhibited attachment in 44% (20% in controls).

Question 3

Research of institutionalisation - Effects of insitutionalisation?

Answer 3

Disinhibited attachment & delay in intellectual development if institutionalisation continues after sensitive period for attachment.

Question 4

Evaluation of research of institutionalisation - Real-world application? S

Answer 4

Both institutional care & adoption practice have been improved using lessons from Romanian orphans.

Question 5

Evaluation of research of institutionalisation - Fewer confounding variables? S

Answer 5

• Romanian orphans had fewer negative influences before institutionalisation than e.g. war orphans.
• CP is that especially poor conditions in Romanian orphanages could be a confounding variable.

Question 6

Evaluation of research of institutionalisation - Lack of adult data? L

Answer 6

We don’t know the effects of institutional care on adult development.

Question 7

Evaluation of research of institutionalisation - Social sensitivity? X

Answer 7

Findings report poor outcomes for late-adopted children, might affect self & others’ expectations.

Question 8

Evaluations of research of institutionalisation? (SSLX)

Answer 8

S - Real-world application
S - Fewer confounding variables
L - Lack of adult data
X - Social sensitivity