Effects of Early Deprivation: Findings from Orphanage-Reared Infants and Children

Abstract

This chapter briefly summarizes the state of our current understanding of the development of children from deprived, orphanage backgrounds, considering, where relevant, the results of animal studies. Three levels of deprivation are contrasted that differ in whether health and nutrition, social and physical stimulation, and relationship needs are met. Emphasis is placed on relating the relatively large literature on deprivation and behavioral development to the more limited literature on deprivation and neurobiological development in humans and other primates.