Activity 1: Investigate the website about the work of James and Joyce Robertson

In the 1950s to 1960s James and Joyce Robertson undertook a series of filmed case studies of young children who were separated from their mothers. The case studies included:

• a two-year-old who goes to hospital
• John, aged 17 months, in a residential day nursery
• Jane, Lucy, Thomas and Kate who were all children between the ages of 17 months and two years and five months who were fostered by the Robertsons for brief periods of time.

The case studies were influential in developing our understanding of the effects on very young children of separation from their attachment figures, and ways in which children can be supported.

This is the link to the home page for Robertson’s films: http://www.robertsonfilms.info/ (accessed 21 February 2017). Explore all the different links within the site:

• Using the information in Chapter 10, describe the type of case study that was used.
• In what ways have these case studies contributed to our understanding of separation and attachment?
• In the case studies about John in residential care and the two-year-old in hospital, the film maker was a non-participant observer. The children were distressed and the adults around them seemed not to notice this. What ethical issues can you identify?

Activity 2: Watch a YouTube video about Genie

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjZolHCrC8E (accessed 21 February 2017)

As you watch this video, consider the ethical issues involved. Although Genie’s name was changed, other people in her life were identified and photographs and video footage are easily available. What other ethical issues come to mind as you look at this rather harrowing video?