Rutter's Romanian Orphan Study

Question 1

Aim

Answer 1

To assess the effects of institutionalism

Question 2

Procedure

Answer 2

• Children were grouped into 3 groups of those adopted before 6 months, between 6 months and 2 years and after 2 years
• They were compared to a control group of British adoptees that had not experienced privation and each group was assessed at age 4, 6, 11 and 15

Question 3

Findings

Answer 3

• At 6, those adopted over the age of 2 showed greater disinhibited attachment ( an over friendliness to strangers)
• At 11, over half the children who showed disinhibited attachment at 6 still showed it
• Children adopted past 6 months showed delayed physical, emotional and intellectual development
• Children adopted past 2 had an IQ of 77 whilst children adopted before 6 months had an IQ of 102

Question 4

Positive Evaluation

Answer 4

Real life application
- can be used to help care in institutions
Fewer confounding variables