Attachment- Cultural Variations In Attachment

Question 1

What was the method and findings of Van Ljzendoorn and Kroonenbergs meta-analysis?

Answer 1

32 studies from 8 different countries that used Ainsworth’s strange situation.
results from around 2000 infants.
secure attachment most common.
Japan and Israel (collectivist) more insecure resistant
Germany (individualist) more insecure avoidant
variation within culture is greater than between cultures.

Question 2

What is a strength of cultural variation within attachment?

Answer 2

Indigenous psychologists.
Any potential problems in cross-cultural research avoided
high internal validity.

Question 3

What are 2 weaknesses of cultural variation within attachment?

Answer 3

Imposed etic (IDA)
Strange situation developed in America based on Western norms- may not be applicable to other cultures.
Can’t generalise, ethnocentrism.

Extraneous variables- socio economic status.
For example, size of home could affect proximity seeking aspect of strange situation assessment.
Low external validity.