16. Cultural Variations In Attachment AO3

Question 1

Name a strength of meta analysis

Answer 1

Can lead to large samples - Van Ijzendoorn had nearly 2000 babies and their primary attachment figures

Question 2

Why is using meta analysis a strength of research

Answer 2

Large samples increase internal validity by reducing impact of biased methodology or unusual participants

Question 3

Name a limitation of strange situation

Answer 3

Method may be biased towards American and British culture

Question 4

Why may strange situation be biased?

Answer 4

Was designed by an American researcher (Ainsworth) based on a British theory (Bowlby) - may not be applicable to other cultures

Question 5

Elaborate on the biased nature of strange situation

Answer 5

Trying to apply a theory designed for one culture to another is known as an imposed etic - disregards the notion of cultural uniqueness

Question 6

How does the idea of imposed etics apply to the strange situation

Answer 6

The idea that a lack of pleasure on reunion indicates insecure attachment is imposed etic - in Germany this behaviour is seen as more independent than avoidant - not a sign of insecurity

Question 7

Name two limitations of cultural variations in attachment

Answer 7

• samples may not be representative of other cultures

- strange situation may be biased towards USA/UK

Question 8

Name a second limitation of cultural variations in attachment

Answer 8

Samples may not be representative of cultures

Question 9

Why might samples not be representative of cultures

Answer 9

Van Ijzendoorn’s meta-analysis made comparisons between countries not cultures - within countries there are different cultures - all have different child rearing practices

Question 10

Why is samples not being representative of cultures an issue

Answer 10

Means comparisons between countries may have little meaning - particular cultural characteristics (& caregiving styles) of samples need to be specified