Attachment 4

Attachment 4

1. The Effects Of Institutionalisation- RUTTER: Romanian Orphanage Studies

   • To assess whether love and nurturing care could overcome effects of privation
   • Longitudinal study of 111 children. 3 Groups: 1. Adopted before age of 6 months, 2. Adopted between age of 6 months and 2 years, 3. Adopted after 2 years old
   • Assessed on level of cognitive function and physical development. Then compared to control group of British children
   • On going study- children followed up at age 4, 6, 11 and 16
   • Findings
     • 1. Initial Assessment- 50% of Romanian orphans were retarded and underweight. British control group were not
     • 2. By Age 4- Almost all children adopted before age of 6 months had caught up with British children
     • 3. Subsequent Follow-ups- A lot of children adopted after 6 months showed significant cognitive deficits, struggled in peer relationship and less likely to have one attachment figure
   • EVALUATION
     • Beneficial Applications- Changed adoption policies
     • Longitudinal Study- High Validity
     • Attrition- Over time participants would have dropped out of the study

2. The Influence Of Early Attachment On Childhood & Adult Relationships

   • Continuity Hypothesis
     • Idea that the characteristics that we have in our infant attachment stay with us into childhood & adulthood.
     • Influence our later relationships
     • Internal Working Model
       • Where an infant's primary attachment forms a model/template for all future relationships
   • PEERS: LYONS-RUTH ET AL
     • To test continuity hypothesis
     • Longitudinal Study: Comparing infant attachment type at 18 months with attachment to peers at age 5
     • Findings
       • Found insecure Type D children (disorganised) seems to struggle to make friends with peers
     • Conclusion
       • Suggests early attachment type influences peer relationships
   • ADULTS: HAZAN & SHAVER
     • See if love in adulthood is directly related to childhood attachment type
     • Asked participants to complete love quiz to assess behaviour and romantic relationship
     • Was then correlated with results of a questionnaire asking them about childhood attachment
     • Findings
       • Type B (Secure) had most successful, long lasting relationship, Type A didn't really see need for love, Type C fell in love easily but didn't find 'true love'
     • Conclusion
       • Infant attachment has huge impact on adult relationships
   • EVALUATION
     • Longitudinal Study: Comparing same children as they are older so more accurate
     • Supporting research from VERRISIMO ET AL
     • HAZAN & SHAVER'S Study relies on memory- May not be valid as memories often vague