Discuss the effects of institutionalisation (16m)

• A01:

  One effect of institutionalisation is attachment types.

  There is a decreased chance of a child forming a secure attachment and an increased chance of forming an atypical attacment type - disinhibited attachment (when the child is clingly, attnetion seeking and seeks comfort an attention from virtually anyone)

  Therefore, this means that there are negative emotional development effects that may be associate with instituitionalisation
• A01: sup EV


  Zenah et al. Found that only 19% of those who had spent their time in institutionalisation were securely attached in comparison to a control group who had never lived in institutions and only foster care which was 74%

  Furthermore, 44% demonstrated signs of disinhibited attachment and for those in foster care this was 20%

  Therefore this suggests that institutionalisation has a significant effect on emotional development (attachment)
• A03:

  However, Romanian orphanages were not typical. There were huge amounts of children as a a result of Ceacesu's Decree. Due to this children would have been cared largely by different carers in groups which supports why they would demonstrated disinhibited attachment behaviours.

  
  

  Nevertheless, it is possible that due to the extremity of these bad conditions and other factors such as abuse/neglect that the children at have suffered, it is difficult to establish whether these developmental effects are as a result of institutionalisation
• A01:

  Another effect of institutionalisation is that it potentially stunts cognitive development

  This is because children who have been institutionalised have lower IQs tin comparison to those who have not
• SUP EV:

  Rutter found that when the Romanian orphans first arrived in the UK, 50% of the Romanian adoptees showed signs of intellectual development

  
  

  By 11yrs old they demonstrated varying cognitive development which was arguably related to the age that they were adopted

  
  

  Adopted:

  under 6 months: 102(average)

  Between 6 months - 2yrs 86(below average)

  After 2 yrs-77(borderline deficiency)
• A01:

  This is also supported by Bowlby's theory of maternal deprivation and that the effects of lack of appropriate emotional care during the critical period such as institutionalisation leads to developmental retardation
• A03:

  These results support the idea that institutionalisation has an effect on cognitive development, however there is a significant difference; not all Romanian orphans suffered stunted cognitive development which suggests that there is another factor involved. Rutter also highlighted the significance between the age at which the children were adopted.

  
  

  Therefore, this suggest that the effects of institutionalisation on cognitive development varies depending not the age that the children are removed from the institution and that they may not be permanent