Cultural Variations In Attachment Flashcards
Who looked at amounts of attachment types across countries?
Van Ijzendoorn and Kroonenberg
What was the aim of Van Ijzendoorn and Kroonenberg’s study?
To look at amounts of secure, secure-avoidant, and secure-resistant attachments across countries
The study also examined differences within the same countries.
What was the procedure for V&K’s study?
Meta analysed data from 32 studies using strange situation in 8 countries (15 in US).
What was the total number of children involved in the studies analyzed?
1,990 children
What were the findings of V&K’s study?
- Secure attachments most common: 75% in britain to 50% in china
- Insecure-resistant attachments in individualistic cultures under 14%
- Collectivist culture rates above 25%
How much greater were variations in attachment results within the same country compared to those between countries?
150% greater
US: one study found 46% securely attached compared to one sample as high as 90%
What percentage of insecure avoidant attachment was found in Germany?
Roughly 16-17%
What Italian study was conducted into attachment?
Simonelli et al assessed 76 babies all 1 year old and found 50% secure, 36% insecure-avoidant
Lots of mothers of young babies work long hours and use childcare
What Korean study was conducted into attachment?
Kyoung jin et al used the strange situation to assess 87 babies. Findings show most children had secure attachments with most insecure children being insecure resistant
Similar to Japan findings with Korea and Japan having similar child rearing styles
What conclusions were made by cultural variation studies?
In all cultures most children have secure attachments supporting Bowlby’s theory that attachment is innate
Cultural practices have an influence on attachment type
Whats another limitation of cultural variations?
Uses a test designed for one culture for another culture. Demonstrates imposed etic: assumes a technique that works in one culture work in another.
Behaviour measured in strange situation might have different meanings to different cultures
What is the difference between ‘emic’ and ‘etic’ in cross-cultural studies?
‘Emic’ refers to cultural uniqueness; ‘Etic’ refers to cross-cultural universality.
What’s another limitation regarding methods?
Impact of confounding variables like poverty and social class, methodologies of studies dont usually match. Size of the room and amount of toys may affect findings as babies may appear to explore more in smaller rooms.
Less visible proximity seeking behaviour may make a child be classified as avoidant
What is a strength of cultural variation studies?
Most studies conducted by indigenous researchers, Germans investigating germans etc. It avoids cross cultural research problems like bias and misinterpretation by the researcher and participants
Avoids stereotypes about that culture
What limitations exist in cultural variation studies?
Not all research conducted by indigenous researchers as Morelli and Tronik were americans studying attachments in France. Researchers may of misinterpreted language and participants may have misunderstood instructions
May be affected by bias and cross cultural commuinications problems
