Romanian Orphan Study : Effect of Institutionalisation

Question 1

define institution

Answer 1

refers to a place

e.g hospital

Question 2

define institutionalisation

Answer 2

effects of living in institutional setting

Question 3

What are the 2 study to do with the romanian orphans?

Answer 3

Rutter

Zeanah

Question 4

Rutter - aim

Answer 4

To investigate to what extent good care could make up for poor early experiences in institutions

Question 5

Rutter - sample

Answer 5

165 romanian orphans

control group - 52 british adoptees

Question 6

Rutter - procedure

Answer 6

longitudinal study
4, 6, 11, 15

physical, cognitive + emotional development was assessed each age

Question 7

Rutter - findings (arrival in UK)

Answer 7

physical state - undernourished

intellectual state - 1/2 delayed intellectual development

Question 8

Rutter - findings (intellectual development)

Answer 8

age of adoption:
6 months - IQ = 102 at 11yrs old

between 6&12 months = 86

after 2yrs = 77

Question 9

Rutter - findings (attachment style)

Answer 9

age of adoption:
before 6 months - rarely showed disinhibited attachment

after 6 months - disinhibited attachment

Question 10

What does Rutter’s findings show?

Answer 10

negative effects appeared greater the later the child was adopted

supports idea of critical period for attachment
supports idea maternal deprivation leads to negative consequences

Question 11

Zeanah - aim

Answer 11

To investigate attachment in children who had spent 90% of their lives in institutionalised care

Question 12

zeanah - sample

Answer 12

95 children

12-32 months old

Question 13

Zeanah - procedure

Answer 13

measured attachment type using strange situation

their carers were asked about symptoms of disinhibited behaviour

compared to control group of 50 children

Question 14

Zeanah - findings

Answer 14

children in institution:
secure - 19%
disinhibited - 44%

control group:
secure - 74%
disinhibited - less than 20%

Question 15

define disinhibited attachment

Answer 15

Child shows equal affection to stranger as to people they know well

Question 16

why is disinhibited attachment unusual?

Answer 16

stranger anxiety develops around 2yrs old

Question 17

if adopted before 6 months, at what age would their intellectual development catch up with control group?

Answer 17

4 yrs old

Question 18

How does Rutter explain disinhibited attachment?

Answer 18

An adaption to living with multiple caregivers during sensitive period for attachment formation

unable to form meaningful attachment w/ primary caregiver

Question 19

how can effects of institutionalisation be recovered?

Answer 19

adoption taking place before 6 months

Question 20

define mental retardation

Answer 20

intellectual disability resulting in intellectual capabilities significantly below average