Anna's Case Study: Social Isolation
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Questions and Answers

What was the primary motivation behind Anna's frequent relocation during the early stages of her life?

  • The children's home's policy of rotating infants to different foster families for socialization.
  • The local minister's attempts to assist Anna and provide her with temporary care.
  • Her grandfather's disapproval of Anna's illegitimacy and the mother's 'indiscretion'. (correct)
  • Her mother's desire to find a more suitable environment for raising her child.

Why did the agency refuse to allow the couple sent by Anna's mother to adopt her?

  • Anna's mother changed her mind and decided that she wanted to raise Anna herself.
  • The couple made a poor impression on the agency, suggesting they would not be suitable parents. (correct)
  • The agency had a policy against allowing adoptions by individuals who were not related to the child.
  • The couple already had several children and were deemed unfit to care for another.

What medical conditions was Anna diagnosed with during her examination at the second children's home?

  • Impetigo, vaginitis, umbilical hernia, and a skin rash. (correct)
  • Chickenpox, measles, and a respiratory infection.
  • Anemia, jaundice, and a heart murmur.
  • Pneumonia, malnutrition, and rickets.

What was the primary reason the local social worker intervened in Anna's living situation?

<p>To convince Anna's grandfather to permit the mother to bring Anna into his home. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what specific way did Anna's grandfather express his disapproval of her?

<p>By refusing to allow Anna to live in his house, thus creating instability in her early life. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What can be inferred about the mother's social standing and support network during Anna's early life?

<p>She faced social stigma and lacked strong support, demonstrated by her father's disapproval and reliance on others for childcare. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the local minister's initial intention when he took Anna into his home?

<p>To offer temporary care and improve Anna's well-being. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why was it possible to create a more comprehensive description of Anna's case in the later report?

<p>Anna's death provided a definitive end point to her life, and additional information became available. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary reason Anna was initially taken to her grandfather's house?

<p>Neither the grandfather nor the mother could afford to care for her. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was Anna's physical condition when she was discovered at nearly six years old?

<p>Extremely emaciated and underdeveloped physically. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of care did Anna primarily receive during her time in the attic-like room?

<p>Just enough care to keep her barely alive with minimal attention. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the information, what was a significant factor contributing to Anna's mother's limited involvement in her care?

<p>She performed heavy labor on the farm, leaving her with little time. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was Anna's approximate mental development level at the time of her death compared to a normal child's development?

<p>Equivalent to a two-and-a-half-year-old. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What hypothesis is considered regarding Anna's lack of rapid mental progress, besides isolation?

<p>She was congenitally deficient. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What information was gathered regarding Anna's maternal family background?

<p>Her maternal grandmother was college-educated, but her ambitions were thwarted by her husband's frugality. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the assessed mental capacity of Anna's mother when she was tested at thirty-two years of age?

<p>Mentally deficient, with performance equivalent to an eight-year-old. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What aspects of development did Anna show improvement in after being rescued from isolation?

<p>She learned to walk, run, play, dress, fit into social situations, and speak. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the extent of Anna's ability to concentrate shortly after she was discovered?

<p>It was impossible to hold her attention for more than a few seconds at a time. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was Anna's primary food source during the years under her mother's care in the attic?

<p>Virtually nothing except cow's milk. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did authorities learn from a schoolmate of Anna's mother?

<p>She was retarded in school work, very gullible and her morals were questionable. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Anna's progress after being rescued suggest about the impact of early childhood isolation?

<p>Isolation prevents the realization of developmental capacity, but some capacity can be realized later with intervention. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What dietary habit persisted in Anna's later life, even after improvements in other areas?

<p>She still used a spoon as her only eating implement. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the author suggest regarding the possibility of Anna achieving normal development if raised in a typical environment from birth?

<p>Her early death made even an approximate answer difficult, though her isolation was certainly a factor. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the prevailing theory regarding the identity of Anna's father?

<p>He was an old man, approximately seventy-four years old at the time of Anna's birth. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Even if the popular theory about Anna's father's identity is correct, what does the passage suggest about him?

<p>He showed no signs of mental or biological deficiency, regardless of his morality. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What conclusion does the passage draw regarding Anna's heredity?

<p>Her heredity is such that it might have given rise to innate mental deficiency, though not necessarily. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why does the author introduce the case of Isabelle?

<p>To provide a comparative case that might shed light on whether Anna's deficiencies were innate or environmentally caused. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

When was Isabelle discovered, relative to Anna?

<p>About nine months after Anna. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant factor in Isabelle's early life circumstances?

<p>Her mother was a deaf-mute, and they lived in seclusion from the rest of the family. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was Isabelle's primary means of communication with her mother?

<p>Gestures, since her mother was a deaf-mute. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What physical ailment did Isabelle suffer from due to her living conditions?

<p>Rickets, which affected the development of her legs. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did Isabelle initially behave toward strangers?

<p>She exhibited behavior akin to a wild animal, displaying fear and hostility. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was Isabelle's initial performance on the Stanford-Binet test?

<p>Her score was 19 months, practically at the zero point of the scale. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the initial impression of specialists regarding Isabelle's educability?

<p>They thought she was wholly uneducable and attempts to teach her would fail. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How was Isabelle's training initially approached?

<p>Using pantomime and dramatization techniques suitable for an infant. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

After the initial hurdles were overcome, how did Isabelle progress through the stages of learning?

<p>She went through the usual stages in proper succession but far more rapidly than normal. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Approximately how long did it take Isabelle to reach a normal educational level?

<p>A little over two years. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

By the time Isabelle was eight-and-a-half years old, what was the extent of her vocabulary?

<p>She had a vocabulary of 1500-2000 words and could ask complicated questions. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Who was Anna?

A girl who experienced severe social isolation during her early years.

Cause of Anna's Death

Anna's death occurred due to hemorrhagic jaundice.

Anna's Birthdate:

Anna was born in either March 1 or 6, 1932.

Anna's Early Life

Anna's early life involved frequent changes in her living arrangements due to her illegitimacy and family disapproval.

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Minister's Role

The local minister tried to help her by taking her home.

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Social worker Intervention

An agency worker tried to convince Anna's grandfather to allow Anna to live at home.

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Previous Reports on Anna

Two earlier reports covered Anna's development including a report at age eight.

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Anna's Medical Condition

Imperigo, vaginitis, umbilical hernia, and a skin rash.

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Anna's Living Conditions

Anna was kept in an attic-like room with minimal care and attention.

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Anna's Initial Condition

When discovered, Anna could not talk, walk, or show any signs of intelligence.

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Importance of Socialization

Anna's case highlights the importance of social interaction and normal upbringing for development.

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Anna's Progress After Rescue

After being rescued, Anna began to show progress, learning to walk, understand commands, and feed herself.

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Limitations of Anna's Progress

Anna's progress was limited, reaching only a two-and-a-half-year-old mental level by the time of her death.

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Impact of Isolation on Development

Anna's isolation prevented considerable mental development that she was likely capable of.

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Unknown Potential

It's difficult to determine what Anna would have been like with a normal upbringing due to her early death.

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Critical Period Hypothesis

After a long period of early isolation, it may be almost impossible for a child to learn to speak, think, and act like a normal person.

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Isolation as a Primary Cause

Anna's isolation may have been a major cause of her lack of rapid mental progress.

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Congenital Deficiency Hypothesis

Another hypothesis to entertain is that Anna was congenitally deficient.

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Anna's Family Background

Anna's maternal grandmother was college-educated, but her ambitions were thwarted by her husband.

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Anna's Mother's Background

Anna's mother completed the eighth grade but was considered not very smart and mentally deficient.

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Mother's Mental Deficiency

Tests showed Anna's mother had a mental age of eight years, indicating mental deficiency.

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Nature vs. Nurture

Anna's case raises questions about the interplay of nature (先天) and nurture (後天) in human development.

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Middle-grade moron type

A term used to describe individuals with moderate intellectual disability.

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Who was Isabelle?

The girl discovered around the same time as Anna, who also experienced extreme social isolation.

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When was Isabelle discovered?

November 1938, about nine months after Anna was found.

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How old was Isabelle when discovered?

Approximately six-and-a-half years old.

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Why was Isabelle kept in seclusion?

She was an illegitimate child.

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What was Isabelle's mother's condition?

A deaf-mute.

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How did Isabelle communicate with her mother?

Gestures.

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What caused Isabelle to become rachitic?

Lack of sunshine and inadequate diet.

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What sounds did Isabelle make?

Strange croaking sound.

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How did Isabelle behave?

She behaved like an infant.

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What was Isabelle’s initial Stanford-Binet score?

19 months.

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What was Isabelle’s initial Vineland social maturity score?

Two-and-a-half years.

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What was the training approach for Isabelle at first?

Pantomime and dramatization.

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What was unique about Isabelle's learning progression?

She went through the usual learning stages rapidly.

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What was Isabelle's initial educational level?

Between one and three years.

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Study Notes

  • In early 1940, a report was released about a young girl named Anna who had minimal human contact or care for almost six years
  • Anna died on August 6, 1942, from hemorrhagic jaundice, at approximately ten and a half years old, she was born in March 1932
  • After Anna was found, she was moved frequently

Early History

  • Anna was an illegitimate child, the second for her mother
  • The grandfather disapproved of the child, which led to the baby being moved around
  • A local minister took Anna in, but after eight weeks, the mother was asked to retrieve her
  • The mother sent a couple to adopt Anna, but they were rejected by the agency
  • The mother then took Anna out of the home
  • A social worker convinced the grandfather to allow Anna to return home
  • Anna was then taken to another children's home and was found to have several medical issues
  • After three weeks, Anna was moved to a private foster home, but due to lack of payment, she was returned to her grandfather's house at five and a half months old
  • Anna was kept in an attic-like room on the second floor to avoid the grandfather's disapproval
  • The mother engaged in heavy farm work and had little time for Anna, Anna received minimal care and was rarely moved or given attention
  • At nearly six years old, Anna was unable to talk, walk, or show any intelligence
  • She was emaciated, malnourished, and had only been fed cow's milk

Later History

  • By 1939, after being discovered, Anna could walk, understand commands, feed herself, and achieve some cleanliness
  • However, she still did not speak and had difficulty concentrating
  • Anna's physical coordination was limited, and her food habits were poorly established, though she could dress herself
  • Anna's condition before death was not progressed far, but her starting condition must be considered
  • She initially had no speech, could not walk, had no expression, could not feed herself, and had no understanding of cleanliness at nearly six years old
  • By the time of her death, Anna had reached a mental level of a two-and-a-half-year-old
  • Her isolation prevented mental development
  • If Anna had a normal upbringing from birth, it is speculated that she could have had normal capacity, isolation was a major cause of her slow mental progress
  • Anna's heredity may have contributed to innate mental deficiency
  • Anna's maternal grandmother was college-educated, but her ambitions were thwarted by her husband
  • Anna's mother completed the eighth grade but was considered not very smart and tests showed she was mentally deficient
  • Anna's father may have been an old man with no indication of deficiency
  • Anna's heredity suggests a possibility of innate mental deficiency

Comparison With Another Case

  • A case for comparison is made with another child to compare
  • Isabelle was discovered around the same time as Anna under similar circumstances
  • Isabelle was born a month later than Anna and was discovered in November 1938 at about six-and-a-half years old
  • Isabelle was an illegitimate child and was kept in seclusion
  • Isabelle's mother was a deaf-mute, and they spent most of their time together in a dark room
  • Isabelle had no chance to develop speech and communicated with gestures
  • Lack of sunlight and inadequate diet caused Isabelle to become rachitic
  • Her behavior towards strangers was fearful and hostile, and she made only strange croaking sounds, her actions resembled those of an infant
  • Isabelle was unaware of relationships and her senses were unused
  • Specialists believed her to be feeble-minded, and her initial scores on tests were very low
  • Despite this, a systematic training program was started and she began to respond
  • She went through the usual stages of learning rapidly, putting sentences together in a little over two months
  • Nine months later, she could identify words, write well, and add to ten - Seven months later, she had a large vocabulary and asked complicated questions
  • Starting from an educational level of between one and three years, she reached a normal level by eight-and-a-half years old
  • She covered stages of learning that typically require six years in just two years

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Description

The story of Anna, a girl who suffered extreme social isolation, provides unique insights into human development. Born in 1932, Anna experienced minimal human contact for the first six years of her life due to family circumstances. This case highlights the critical role of social interaction in early childhood development.

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