cultural variations

Question 1

research into cultural variations of attachment

Answer 1

• van IJzendoorn and Kroonenberg: meta-analysis
• Simonelli et al: study
• Jin et al: study

Question 2

Van Ijzendoorn and kroonenberg, Simonelli, and jin procedure and findings

Answer 2

Van IJzendoorn and kroonenberg:
PROCEDURE
- meta analysis that reviewed 32 studies of attachment from 8 different countries
- used the strange situation procedure to classify attachment type
- western and non-western cultures
FINDINGS
- secure attachment always the most common
- differences in the proportions of insecure attachment types
- more avoidant children in western cultures
- more resistant children in non-western cultures
- greater variation within cultures than between cultures. Indicated that other factors such as socioeconomic status or child rearing styles influences attachment more than culture.

simonelli
PROCEDURE
- assessed 76 italian infants using the SSP
FINDINGS
- found a high proportion of infants were insecure compared to other studies
- possibly due to increased maternal employment and changing family dynamics in italy.

Jin
PROCEDURE
- assessed south-korean infants using the SSP
FINDINGS
- high rates of secure attachment like western cultures
- higher proportion of resistant attachment
- could be due to the collectivist culture of south korea as they emphasize close family bonds

Question 3

conclusions of van IJzendoorn’s study

Answer 3

• suggests attachment theory has universal applicability
• but it’s manifestations can be influenced by cultural contexts

Question 4

evaluation of cross-cultural research into attachment

Answer 4

1) is a meta-analysis
- uses data from multiple studies which allows researchers to eliminate flukes
- means the overall conclusion is likely to be more valid
- if individual studies can be supported this also shows research to be more reliable

2) conducted by indigenous researchers
- better understanding of the interactions between infants and caregivers
- can interpret findings better
- eliminates translation problems and cultural bias
- increases validity

3) strange situation procedure still uses imposed etic
- created by western cultures
- other cultures means the child may bring their children up with different child rearing practices
- for example in japan children are often separated from caregivers so are more distressed when their parent leaves them.
- means proportions may actually not be accurate in every culture, decreases validity or findings