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David Rigler
In December, he obtained a small grant from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) to do preliminary studies on Genie, and began organizing a research team to submit a larger request. -
Genie was discovered
A social worker discovered the 13 year old girl after her mother sought out services. -
Her case caught the attention of linguists
UCLA professor Victoria Fromkin headed a team of linguists who began a detailed case study on Genie's progress with learning language. -
Genie showed understanding of her own name
She also showed understanding of few other's names and knew about 15-20 words. -
At the beginning of January 1971, scientists conducted a series of neurolinguistic tests on Genie.
The purpose was to determine and monitor the course and extent of her mental development. -
January- Genie was at the developmental level of a 1 to 3 year old
This was determined when doctors administered a Gesell Developmental Evaluation -
April-May
Genie's test scores, mental age, and language capabilities significantly increased. -
June
Jean Butler obtained permission to take Genie on day trips to her home and moved in with her temporarily. During this time, Genie started to show the first signs of puberty and language improved. -
August
Rigler and his wife became Genie's caregivers. The research team continued observations and evaluations. -
October
Genie became somewhat more sociable and responsive. -
Recalling past events
Scientists realize that Genie could recall events from her past. -
Scores
At this time, Genie scored between the level of an 8 year old and an adult on all right-hemisphere tasks. -
February
Curtiss recorded the first time Genie shared something with her. -
NIMH withdrew funding
This organization stopped funding Genie research due to lack of scientific findings. -
Sign Language
The Riglers arranged for Genie to learn a form of sign language because her nonverbal communication continued to excel. -
Genie returned to living with her birth mother
However, by the end of 1975, Genie's mother was overwhelmed and Genie was transferred to a foster home. -
Authorities placed Genie in foster homes
Here, she was subjected to physical and emotional abuse, which made her afraid to talk. -
June
Rigler wrote that Genie continued to make strides in every field which the scientists were testing, but most social interactions with her remained abnormal. -
Genie: A Psycholinguistic Study of a Modern-Day "Wild Child"
Curtiss finished and presented her dissertation. -
Research was stopped
Genie's mother decided to stop any further scientific testing and observations on Genie.