Van Ijzendoorn and Kroonenberg (1988) Cross-cultural Studies

Question 1

Method

Answer 1

• Carried out a meta-analysis of 32 studies of the strange situation in different countries,
• Analysed to find any overall patterns.

Question 2

Results

Answer 2

• Percentages of children classified as secure or insecure were similar across countries tested; more differences within the actual countries than between them,
• Secure attachments were the most common type in the countries studied,
• Some differences were found in the distribution of insecure attachments,
• In western cultures, the dominat insecure type was avoidant, with highest proportion of insecure-avoidant children coming from Germany,
• In non-western cultures, the dominant type of insecure attachment was resistan; Japan had the highest proportion of insecure-resistant children.

Question 3

Conclusion

Answer 3

• There are cross-cultural similarities in raising children, with common reactions to the ‘strange situation’.

Question 4

Evaluation

Answer 4

• Children are brought up differently in different cultures; might result in different types of attachment in different culturesm
• So, Strange situation might not be the suitable method for studying cross-cultural attachment. Using a different type of study may have revealed different patterns or types of attachment in different cultures,
• Study assumes different country is the same as different culture,
• Meta-analyses can hide individual results that show an unusual trend.

Question 5

What are 4 importnat findings from Strange Situation research?

Answer 5

1) Cultural differences found. Grossman et al. (1985) claimed that more ‘avoidant’ infants may be found in Germany because of the value Germans have on independence; avoidance is seen as good,
2) Causes of different attachment types are debatable. The causes may be the sensitivity of their carers and/or their inborn temperament,
3) Strange situation doesn’t show a characteristic of a child. Experiment only shows the child’s relationship with a specific person, might react differently with different carers, or later in life,
4) Attachment type may influence later behaviours. Securely attachmed children may be more confident in school and form strong, trusting adult relationships. Avoidant children may have behaviour problems in school and find it hard to form close, trusting adult relationships. Resistant children may be insecure and attention-seeking in schools and, as adults, their strong feelings of dependency may be stressful for partners.