effects of institutionalisation

Question 1

what is institutionalisation?

Answer 1

• institution = place like a hospital or orphanage where children live for a long, continuous period of time
• often little emotional care provided

Question 2

what are the effects of institutional care?

Answer 2

• no attachment figure
• less sociable
• more aggressive
• less intelligent
• not cared for well

Question 3

rutter et al 2007 aim and method

Answer 3

aim - to see if quality care can make up for poor quality institutional experiences
METHOD - 111 romanian orphans who were adopted between 6 months and 2 years old
- natural experiment

Question 4

rutter et al 2007 results and conclusion

Answer 4

RESULTS - disinhibited attachment (attention seeking) behaviour if adopted after 6 months
- before 6 months rarely displayed DA symptoms
CONCLUSION - more likely to recover if adopted into a caring environment at an earlier age

Question 5

what are the 2 effects of institutionalisation?

Answer 5

1. disinhibited attachment
2. mental retardation

Question 6

mental retardation

Answer 6

• nearly all showed signs
• those adopted before 6 months caught up with the control group by the age of 4
• emotional/intellectual development can be recovered provided adoption takes place before 6 months old

Question 7

disinhibited attachment

Answer 7

• they are equally friendly/affectionate