Romanian Orphan Studies - AO1

Question 1

What was the aim of Rutter’s research?

Answer 1

To investigate whether loving and nurturing care could overturn the effects of institutionalisation the children has suffered in Romanian orphanages

Question 2

What type of study was it?

Answer 2

Longitudinal study

Question 3

What did Rutter assess the orphans for and at what ages?

Answer 3

Physical, emotional and cognitive development - assessed at ages 4,6,11,15

Question 4

What was Rutter’s sample?

Answer 4

111 Romanian orphans who were adopted into British families

Question 5

What 3 groups did Rutter study?

Answer 5

Adopted before the age of 6 months, between 6 months and 2 years and after the age of 2

Question 6

Who were the Romanian orphans compared to?

Answer 6

A control group of 52 British adopted children

Question 7

What did Rutter find in the initial assessment?

Answer 7

50% of the Romanian children showed signs of cognitive impairment and were several undernourished