Romanian Orphan Studies Flashcards
Evaluate the Romanian orphan studies’ effects on institutionalisation
STRENGTH - Real life application (enhanced understanding of effects of institutionalisation)
E.g. - Results have led to improvements in how kids are cared for in institutions. Orphanages now have 1/2 people (key workers) play central role for caregiving for kids instead of loads. This means kids can develop normal attachments & avoid disinhibited attachment
Ex. - Such research has been immensely valuable in practical terms
STRENGTH - Fewer extraneous variables than other orphan studies
E.g. In other studies before, samples had included kids experiencing loss or trauma before institutionalised. Very hard to observe effects of institutionalisation in isolation as kids dealing with multiple factors acting as confounding participant variables
Ex. - In Romanian studies, possible to study institutionalisation without confounding variables, increasing validity of findings
LIMITATION - Romanian orphanages weren’t typical
E.g. Conditions were so bad results can’t be applied to understanding impact of better quality institutional care or any situation of deprivation.
Ex. - Unusual situation variables mean studies may lack generalisability
