Romanian Orphan Studies

Question 1

Name two studies into orphans and their effects of Institutionalisation.

Answer 1

Rutter et al (2011) and Zeanah et al (2005).

Question 2

What is the procedure of Rutter et al’s research into Romanian orphans?

Answer 2

A longitudinal study that followed a group of 165 orphans adopted in Britain to see if good care could make up for poor early experiences in institutions. Development was assessed at 4, 6, 11 and 15. A group of 52 British children adopted around the same time served as the control group.

Question 3

What were the finding of Rutter et al’s research?

Answer 3

At 11, their development showed differential rates of recovery related to the age of adoption. The mean IQ of those adopted before 6 months was 102, between 6-24 months it was 86 and after 2 years it was 77. Those adopted after 6 months (26%) showed signs of disinhibited attachment (attention seeking and indiscriminate friendliness to all adults- no stranger anxiety).

Question 4

What was the procedure for Zeanah et al’s research into the effects of institutionalisation on orphans?

Answer 4

Assessed attachment in 95 children ages 12-31 months who had spent most of the their in an institutional care. Compared to a control group of 50 people who had never lived in an institution. Attachment type was measured by the Strange Situation. In addition, carers asked about signs of disinhibited attachment.

Question 5

What were the findings of Zeanah et al’s research into the effects of institutionalisation on orphans?

Answer 5

74% of the control group was securely attached while 19% of institutional group were securely attached. 65% were classified as disorganised attachment. The description of disinhibited attachment applied to 44% of institutionalised children as opposed to less than 20% of the controls.

Question 6

Name 2 effects of institutionalisation.

Answer 6

Disinhibited attachment and low IQ.

Question 7

Positive evaluation points for Rutter et al?

Answer 7

• High internal validity due to it measuring what it set out to. As he entered the orphanage at really early stage, other factors can be ruled out.
• There are practical applications. All institutions now allocate a key worker so that children can have a safe base away from the caregiver.

Question 8

Negative evaluation points of Rutter et al?

Answer 8

• The findings are deterministic
• The long term effects of institutionalisation are not clear yet due to the study not being completed (longitudinal study).
• There may be researcher bias as the children are not randomly allocated due to the research being natural.