Cross cultural variations

Question 1

What do we mean by the term ‘cross-cultural variations’?

Answer 1

Cultural differences between people in different groups.

Question 2

What is the APPRC of Van Ijzdendoorn’s study?

Answer 2

A - To look at proportions of secure, IR and IA attachments across countries.
P - 1990 children from 8 countries involved in 32 different studies of attachment
P - Reviewed 32 studies and results were meta-analysed.
R - IA most common in Germany, IR most common in Israel, secure was the most common overall.
C - There are variations between countries.

Question 3

What was the most common attachment type in Great Britain and what was the %?

Answer 3

75% had a secure attachment

Question 4

What is the APPRC of Simonelli’s research?

Answer 4

A - Whether the proportion of babies of different attachment types matched previous studies.
P - 76 babies aged 12 months
P - used the strange situation.
R - 50% were secure and 36% were IA.
C - This is due to cultural change with mothers going back to work and using childcare

Question 5

What is the APPRC of the Korean study?

Answer 5

A - To compare attachment types in Korea to other studies
P - 87 babies
P - Strange situation
R - Proportion of secure and insecure was similar to other studies
C - Child rearing styles are similar

Question 6

What is a weakness/strength of research into cross-cultural variations? (Indigenous researcher)

Answer 6

• Psychologists worked with participants from the same cultural background
• It does reduce the chance of misunderstanding due to language barriers
• However, it allows for bias or stereotyping

Question 7

What is a weakness of research into cross-cultural variations? (Confounding variables)

Answer 7

• Studies done in other countries are not usually matched for methodology.
• Characteristics such as age and urban makeup can affect results.
• Looking at attachment behaviour in non-matched studies may not tell us anything about cross-cultural patterns.

Question 8

What is a weakness of research into cross-cultural variations? (Imposed etic)

Answer 8

• Imposed etic occurs when we impose an idea that works in one cultural context to another.
• In Britain and the US, lack of affection may show an avoidant attachment.
• But in Germany, it shows independence.