Institutionalisation Flashcards
What is institutionalisation
Refers to the effects of living in an institutional setting (e.g., orphanages) where children may not receive adequate emotional or physical care.
What was the Romanian orphans study
The study focuses on Romanian children who were placed in orphanages due to political and social reasons. These children were often deprived of basic care and emotional bonds with caregivers.
What was Rutters procedure on Romanian orphans to study institutionalisation
Rutter’s Study (2011):
The study followed a group of 165 Romanian orphans who were adopted into the UK between 1990 and 1992.
Children were assessed at different ages: 4, 6, 11, and 15 years old, measuring their cognitive, social, and emotional development.
The children were compared with a control group of 52 British children adopted at the same time.
What were the findings of rutters study
Children adopted before 6 months showed typical development
Those adopted after 6 months showed more developmental issues and had lower iq
Those who were institutionalised for a longer period showed signs of disinhibited attachment (e.g., seeking attention from strangers) and emotional difficulties.
What are the effects of institutionalisation
—Cognitive Development:
Prolonged institutionalisation can delay cognitive development, as children often lack stimulation and opportunities for intellectual development in institutional settings.
—Emotional and Social Development:
Attachment issues affecting social relationships and emotional well-being.
Long-term effects such as difficulty forming close relationships, anxiety, and problems with peer relationships were observed.
—Physical Development:
Malnutrition and lack of proper care can lead to stunted physical growth and poor health.
3 strengths of the study
—Natural Experiment: The study’s unique circumstances (the Romanian orphanages) provided a real-world example of the effects of institutionalisation.
—Longitudinal Design: It tracked the development of the orphans over many years, allowing for insight into the long-term effects.
— High External Validity: The study’s findings are generalizable to similar institutional settings and adoption experiences.
3 weaknesses of the study
—Individual Differences: Some children may have been more resilient than others, so the effects of institutionalisation may vary, making it difficult to generalize.
—Confounding Variables: The quality of care provided in the adoptive families and the different experiences the children had in the orphanages may have influenced the outcomes.
—Cultural Bias: The study’s findings may be specific to Romanian orphanages and may not generalize to all institutional settings worldwide.
