Cultural Variations In Attachment Van Ljzendoorn

Question 1

Van ljzendoorn (1988) procedure

Answer 1

Meta-analysis of 2000 infants, 32 studies, 8 countries - all classified attachment types using the Strange Situation

Question 2

Findings

Answer 2

• secure attachment most common in all countries
• insecure-resistant usually least common
• Avoidant more common in individualistic western cultures
• resistant in collectivist non-western
• Germany had most Avoidant (35%), Japan had most resistant (27% and China had least secure (50%)

Question 3

Conclusion

Answer 3

• Secure is Globally preferred attachment style which potentially has a biological basis
• Variations in parenting style could explain differences - German families encourage independence - Avoidant
• Japanese mothers spend significant amounts of time with infants - resistant