Assess whether the findings of cross-cultural research into attachment have furthered understanding in developmental psychology. (8)

Question 1

Ainsworth (1970) carried out cross-cultural research into attachment using the strange situation procedure in both the USA and Uganda.

Answer 1

As Ainsworth’s studies were carried out in two continents it helps us understand that even cross-culturally there is some universality in how mothers are a safe base for young children during development.

Question 2

Cassibba et al. (2013) found that when considering both clinical and non-clinical distributions amongst the children in 17 studies that avoidant attachments were more common in Italian children.

Answer 2

Cassibba et al. (2013) suggested their findings may represent how Italian mothers promote early independence, which emphasises that cross-cultural research should be culturally relative to reflect the wider context of children’s development to successfully further understanding of development.

Question 3

Van iJzendoorn and Kroonenberg (1988) found that in their meta- analysis from 8 countries using the strange situation procedure that the most common attachment type was Type B.

Answer 3

Van iJzendoorn and Kroonenberg’s (1988) findings may only represent the outcomes of the SSP method because it takes an etic approach, looking at development from outside of the culture in which it takes place.

Question 4

Miyake et al. (1985) found using the strange situation procedure that Japanese children were classified as anxious avoidant.

Answer 4

Differences in attachment types found by Miyake et al. (1985) may illustrate how cross-cultural research using imposed values of parenting does not further our understanding of development.