3.8.1 Rutter's ERA Study

• What is the full name of Rutter's ERA study?

  English and Romanian Adoptee study
• What was the control group in Rutter's ERA Study?

  British children raised in normal family environments
• What aspects of development were assessed in Rutter's ERA Study?

  Cognitive, emotional, and social development
• Why were Attachment Interviews used in the study?

  To assess how well children form relationships and manage emotions
• What long-term aspect does Rutter's ERA study aim to understand?

  Consequences of early experiences on mental health
• How many British children were in the control group of Rutter's ERA Study?

  52
• What do Standardized Intelligence Tests measure?

  Cognitive abilities
• Why were Standardized Intelligence Tests used in the study?

  To compare cognitive performance between adoptees and the control group
• If a child is adopted at 6 months, what cognitive development outcome might they achieve?

  They might develop normal cognitive skills
• How does Rutter's ERA study aim to understand the effects of early deprivation?

  By examining cognitive, emotional, and social development
• What are the key characteristics of the British control group in Rutter's ERA Study?

  • 52 British children
  • Raised in normal family settings
  • From birth
• What is the main focus of Rutter's ERA study?

  Impact of institutional care on child development
• How might a child adopted at 3 years compare to one adopted at 6 months?

  The 3-year-old might struggle to catch up
• What type of study is Rutter's ERA Study?

  Longitudinal study
• What group of children does Rutter's ERA study investigate?

  Romanian children adopted by British families
• What do Behavior Checklists measure?

  Emotional and behavioral problems
• What is the significance of comparing Romanian adoptees to British controls in the study?

  It helps understand the impact of early deprivation
• How has Rutter's ERA study influenced adoption and foster care practices?

  It has strengthened the case for these alternatives
• How many Romanian children were followed in Rutter's ERA Study?

  165
• How does early institutional care affect development according to Rutter's ERA study?

  It hinders cognitive, emotional, and social development
• What do Direct Observations measure?

  Social interaction
• What factor significantly matters in the duration of institutional care?

  The age at which children are adopted
• What are the impacts of institutionalisation on cognitive, emotional, and social development?

  | Area | Impact |

  |-----------------------|------------------------------------------|

  | Cognitive Development | Lower IQ scores |

  | Emotional Development | Anxiety, depression, attachment issues |

  | Social Development | Difficulty forming relationships |
• Why is Rutter's ERA Study considered a quasi-experiment?

  Because random assignment was unethical
• What is the relationship between age at adoption and developmental outcomes?

  Younger children have better developmental outcomes
• What type of placements does Rutter's ERA study prioritize for children in care?

  Family placements
• What are the main objectives of Rutter's ERA study?

  1. Determine effects of early deprivation on development
  2. Identify factors that promote recovery from institutionalisation
  3. Understand long-term consequences of early experiences
• What are the key components of Rutter's ERA Study design?

  • Longitudinal design
  • Quasi-experimental approach
  • Comparison between Romanian adoptees and British controls
  • Regular assessments of development
• What are the long-term effects of institutionalisation?

  They affect cognitive, emotional, and social development
• What method was used to assess the participants in Rutter's ERA Study?

  Standardized tests and interviews
• What are the key contributions of Rutter's ERA study?

  • Need for early intervention
  • Development of family placement policies
  • Importance of attachment and early experiences
  • Support for adoption and foster care
• What was the purpose of the data collection tools in Rutter's ERA Study?

  To evaluate children's cognitive, emotional, and social development
• Why were Direct Observations used in the study?

  To observe how children interact with parents, siblings, and peers
• What do Attachment Interviews assess?

  Attachment security
• What are the key characteristics of the Romanian adoptees in Rutter's ERA Study?

  • 165 Romanian children
  • Varied time in orphanages: a few months to several years
  • Ages at adoption: 6 months to 4 years
• What does Rutter's ERA study seek to identify regarding recovery from institutionalisation?

  Factors that promote recovery from adverse effects
• How did the assessment tools contribute to Rutter's ERA Study?

  • Gathered comprehensive data
  • Helped draw meaningful conclusions
  • Evaluated effects of early institutionalisation
• How does the timing of adoption affect recovery in children?

  Children adopted before six months recover better
• What has Rutter's ERA study increased awareness of?

  The importance of attachment and early childhood experiences
• What emotional issues are more prevalent in children affected by institutionalisation?

  Higher rates of anxiety and depression