To assess whether loving and nuturing care could overturn the effects of privation the children had suffered in Romanian orphanages
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What procedure was used?
This was a longitudinal study, incorporating a quasi experiment.
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What was the independant variable?
The age of the adoption
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How many groups was the independant variable divided up into?
3
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What were the 3 groups being studied?
1). children adopted before the age of 6 months 2). Children adopted between 6 months and 2 years 3). Children adopted after 2 years
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What was the dependant variable?
The children's level of cognitive functioning
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How many children were used?
111 Romanian orphans and 52 British orphans
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What were the findings of the study?
50% of the Romanian orphans were lacking in cognitive functioning. The control group didn't show these defects. At age 4, the Romanian orphans had improved in physical and cognitive developments. Orphans at 6 months were doing as well as the British
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What were the conclusions of this study?
The negative effects of institutionalisation can be overcome by sensitive, nurturing care. But as the British children didn't suffer from developmental outcomes it can be seen that separation from the carer cannot cause negative developmental effects
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What's an evaluative point of this study?
Children have only been assessed up to the age of 4 years, so subsequent follow-ups will be required to assess the long-term effects of institutionalisation and the effects of institutionalisation and the effects of subsequent enriching environments
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What's an evaluative point of this study?
Only some of the children received detailed clinical investigations, so it is difficult to fully generalise the findings
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What's an evaluative point of this study?
Because the children weren't studied while in the Romanian orphanages, it is not possible to state which aspects of privation were most influential
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5 studies which support this investigation?
O'Connor et al. (1999), O'Connor et al (2000), Rutter et al (2001), Rutter (2007), Morison & Elwood (2005)
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Other cards in this set
Card 2
Front
What procedure was used?
Back
This was a longitudinal study, incorporating a quasi experiment.
Card 3
Front
What was the independant variable?
Back
Card 4
Front
How many groups was the independant variable divided up into?
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