Chapter 3 Attachment - Cultural variations in attachment

Question 1

Research of cultural variations in attachment - Van IJzendoorn & Kroonenberg’s research?

Answer 1

• Compared rates of attachment type in 8 countries.
• More variation within than between countries.

Question 2

Research of cultural variations in attachment - Other studies of cultural variations?

Answer 2

Simonelli et al - Italian secure attachment rates dropped to 50%, may be due to increased day care.
Jin et al - Korean secure vs insecure attachment rates similar to other studies. But insecure-avoidant similar to Japan, could be due to similar child-rearing styles.

Question 3

Research of cultural variations in attachment - Conclusions?

Answer 3

• It appears that attachment is innate & universal and secure attachment is the norm.
• However cultural practices affect rates of attachment types.

Question 4

Evaluation of cultural variations in attachment - Indigenous researchers? S

Answer 4

• e.g. Grossmann et al. (German), reduces bias & miscommunication with pts.
• CP is that this is not true of all cross-cultural studies (e.g. Americans Morelli & Tronick).

Question 5

Evaluation of cultural variations in attachment - Confounding variables? L

Answer 5

Apparent cultural differences might have been due to sample characteristics or environmental differences (e.g. room size).

Question 6

Evaluation of cultural variations in attachment - Imposed etic? L

Answer 6

Behaviours in the SS have different meanings in different cultures (e.g. low affection = independence in Germany).

Question 7

Evaluation of cultural variations in attachment - Competing explanations? (X)

Answer 7

Cross-cultural similarity may be due to innate system or media influences.