Effects of Institutionalisation + ERA project

Institutionalisation

Term that describes the effects of living in an institutionalised setting (e.g. an orphanage

Intellectual disability - Effects of institutionalisation

Characterised by an abnormally low IQ

Disinhibited Attachment - Effects of institutionalisation

Characterised by showing equal affection towards familiar and unfamiliar people as are fearless and show no hesitation when interacting with strangers. They seek often seek physical comfort from strangers. It is explained as an adaptation to living with multiple caregivers.

English + Romanian Adoptees (ERA) project - Context

In Romania, a communist dictator was keen to increase birth rates in 1966-1989. Therefore, he made it required for Romanian women to have 5 children. Many Romanian parents could not afford to keep their children and therefore children ended up in huge state-run orphanages in very poor conditions. After the Romanian revolution, many of these children were adopted abroad. This included in Britain, and Rutter wanted to study these adopted children.