L7 - Institutionalisation

Question 1

Define institutionalisation

Answer 1

A child living away from family and raised in an institution, leading to impaired functioning

Question 2

How many participants

Answer 2

165 Romanian children

52 British adopted before 6 months for control

Question 3

What were the findings?

Answer 3

When adopted, Romanian orphans were behind in all aspects e.g. smaller, mentally retarded

Question 4

Positive evaluation

Answer 4

Longitudinal
Studied at different ages to see effects and whether disappeared
More valid

Question 5

Negative related to other factors

Answer 5

Orphanage had bad physical conditions
Physical and lack of cognitive stimulation
Long-term due to multiple risks not just lack of attachment

Question 6

Negative related to disputing study

Answer 6

Physical/psychological effects were temporary in longitudinal study of Romanian orphans in Canada
Effects of all evident at age 4, disappeared by 10 compared to control group

Question 7

What is a physical effect of institutionalisation?

Answer 7

Poor physical development: smaller, caused by poor nourishment/insufficient emotional care

Question 8

What is an attachment effect?

Answer 8

Lack of internal working model

Disinhibited attachment: don’t know appropriate behaviour towards strangers

Question 9

They were tested at what ages and how

Answer 9

Tested at 4, 6, 11, 15

Physical, social, cognitive development assessed

Question 10

If Romanian orphans were adopted before 6 months

Answer 10

They caught up to British children by 4 years old

Question 11

Disinhibited attachment affected who

Answer 11

Romanians adopted after 6 months

Question 12

Institutionalisation effects weren’t as bad if

Answer 12

Children had an opportunity to form attachments

Question 13

(contd definition)

Institutionalisation leads to losing what?

Answer 13

Personal identity as they adopt the institution’s rules and norms