Topic Summaries

Effects of institutionalisation

A-Level > Psychology > AQA > A-Level Psychology Topic Summaries > Attachment > Effects of institutionalisation
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  • Research into institutionalisation investigates the impact of children being raised in orphanages or institutions with minimal emotional care.
  • The most influential work is 👥 Rutter et al.’s (2011) English and Romanian Adoptees project. Rutter followed 165 Romanian orphans adopted by British families, assessing their development at ages 4, 6, 11, and 15. Children adopted before the age of 6 months showed normal development, while those adopted after 6 months displayed disinhibited attachment, characterised by attention-seeking and indiscriminate affection, as well as cognitive delays. By age 11, some recovery had occurred, particularly for those adopted earlier, suggesting the existence of a sensitive period rather than an absolute critical period for forming attachments.
    • A strength of Rutter’s study is its longitudinal design, allowing researchers to track development over time. It has also had practical applications, improving childcare systems and emphasising the importance of consistent caregiving. However, the Romanian orphanages involved were unusually deprived (e.g. low resources, poor nutrition), so findings may not generalise to all institutions. Moreover, not all institutionalised children experienced negative outcomes, highlighting the role of individual differences and resilience.
    • Other research, such as 👥 Zeanah et al. (2005) using the Strange Situation on institutionalised children, found high rates of disinhibited attachment compared to controls. These findings demonstrate that institutionalisation can lead to long-term emotional and cognitive difficulties if adoption or fostering is delayed.

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