Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 9, 2026

The Adventures of Fundi Intervention Based on the Cognitive and Emotional Processing in Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Patients
05:48

The Adventures of Fundi Intervention Based on the Cognitive and Emotional Processing in Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Patients

Published on: June 12, 2020

Cognitive recovery in socially deprived young children: the Bucharest Early Intervention Project

Charles A Nelson1, Charles H Zeanah, Nathan A Fox

  • 1Harvard Medical School and Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02215, USA.

Science (New York, N.Y.)
|December 22, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Children in institutions showed poorer cognitive development. Early placement in foster care significantly improved cognitive outcomes, especially for younger children, highlighting the benefits of family environments.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Child Welfare Studies
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Early institutionalization can negatively impact child development.
  • Understanding the effects of institutional care versus foster care is crucial for child welfare.
  • Identifying sensitive periods for cognitive development is key to effective interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the cognitive development of abandoned children in institutional care versus foster care.
  • To investigate the long-term cognitive outcomes associated with early institutionalization.
  • To determine if there is a sensitive period for cognitive development in response to environmental changes.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized controlled trial design was employed.
  • Participants were abandoned children randomly assigned to institutional care or foster care.
  • Cognitive development was assessed up to 54 months of age.

Main Results:

  • Children remaining in institutions exhibited significantly lower cognitive outcomes.
  • Children moved to foster care showed improved cognitive development compared to those in institutions.
  • The most substantial cognitive gains were observed in the youngest children placed in foster care.

Conclusions:

  • Early institutionalization has detrimental effects on cognitive development.
  • Foster care placement offers significant advantages for the cognitive development of abandoned children.
  • Results suggest a sensitive period for cognitive development, emphasizing the importance of timely family-based placements.

Related Concept Videos

Information Processing Approach01:30

Information Processing Approach

The information-processing theory of cognitive development centers on fundamental mental processes, including attention, memory, and problem-solving skills. Researchers in this field examine how cognitive abilities, such as working memory, evolve and influence children's overall development. Studies indicate that children with stronger working memory tend to excel in reading comprehension, math, and problem-solving compared to peers with less efficient memory skills. Low working memory is also...
Community Based Intervention01:30

Community Based Intervention

Community-based interventions in mental health represent a paradigm shift from institution-centered care to treatments embedded within the fabric of local communities. By prioritizing inclusion and leveraging existing societal structures, this approach fosters a supportive environment conducive to addressing mental health challenges while promoting individual dignity and agency.
Foundations of Community Mental Health Programs
Central to the success of community-based interventions is the...
Relationship with Parents: Attachment01:28

Relationship with Parents: Attachment

Parent-child interactions lay the foundation for how we understand relationships throughout life. These interactions are not uniform across families; instead, they are shaped by a range of environmental, emotional, and behavioral factors unique to each caregiver-child dynamic. Social psychologists study these early relationships to understand how patterns formed in infancy influence social functioning and interpersonal behavior in adulthood.Attachment Theory and Early Relational ModelsJohn...
Causes of Social Behavior II: Cognitive Processes01:15

Causes of Social Behavior II: Cognitive Processes

Cognitive processes affect social behavior by guiding how individuals perceive, interpret, and respond to social stimuli. These mental processes enable individuals to assess others' behaviors, attribute causes to their actions, and form expectations based on past experiences.Causes of Behavior and Social JudgmentsIndividuals determine the causes of others' behaviors by distinguishing between personal traits and external circumstances. For example, if a friend frequently arrives late, an...
Autism Spectrum Disorder01:19

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction alongside restrictive and repetitive behaviors or interests. ASD is sometimes accompanied by intellectual impairment.
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
Socioemotional Development during Infancy01:30

Socioemotional Development during Infancy

Socio-emotional development in infancy is primarily shaped by early emotional responses and social connections, with temperament playing a central role. Temperament refers to the consistent patterns in an individual's emotional and behavioral responses, observable even in infancy. By examining temperament, researchers can better understand an infant's unique ways of interacting with the world, influencing subsequent personality and socio-emotional growth.
Primary Temperament Types
Stella Chess...