cultural variations of attachment

Question 1

what was the aim

Answer 1

looked at the different proportions of secure, insecure avoidant/resistant attachments across countries to assess cultural variations and also looked at difference within cultures

Question 2

what was the method

Answer 2

they conducted a meta analysis of 32 studies from 8 different countries that used ainsworth’s strange situation. in total of over 1990 infants were included in the analysis

Question 3

findings - percentages

Answer 3

consistent with ainsworth’s original research -
secure - 65%
avoidant - 21%
resistant - 14%

Question 4

intra cultural findings

Answer 4

intra-cultural variation was nearly 15 times greater than cross cultural variations. van ijzendoorm speculated this was linked to differences in socio-economic factors and levels of stress that varied between samples used within each country

Question 5

findings - countries

Answer 5

6/8 countries produced findings proportionally consistent with ainsworth and bell
japan and israel revealed a higher incidence of resistant and avoidant children (27 and 29% in order) due to being collectivist
chinese findings revealed lowest rate of secure attachments (50%) remaining children fell into other categories equally

Question 6

conclusion

Answer 6

1.modest cross cultural differences reflect the effects of mass media which portrays similar notions of parenting
2.secure attachment is a norm in a wide range of cultures, supports bowlby’s idea attachment is innate and universal, so secure is universal
3.however research shows cultural variations also impacts attachment types

Question 7

why does germany have high avoidant percantage

Answer 7

35% - individualist culture

Question 8

what are collectivist patterns

Answer 8

higher rates of resistant over avoidant