Classic Study - Van Ijzendoorn

Question 1

What was the aim of this study?

Answer 1

To investigate similarities and differences in the ratio of attachment types in different countries

Question 2

What was the sample used?

Answer 2

• All under 2 years old
• None with special needs
• Observed mothers and children

Question 3

What was the procedure to the study?

Answer 3

• Collected data from other studies
• 32 studies from 8 different countries
• All used the Strange Situation
• Used meta-analysis to calculate the average percentage for different attachment types

Question 4

Describe the results to the study

Answer 4

• Secure attachments were the most common form of attachment in all cultures but one
• Avoidant attachments were most commonly found in Germany
• Differences within subcultures (e.g. class)

Question 5

Give 3 conclusions to the study

Answer 5

• May be universal characteristics that lead to secure attachments types
• Different cultures have different attachment types
• Collectivist cultures most likely experience inconsistent parenting

Question 6

What is a meta-analysis?

Answer 6

Statistical analysis from secondary data for comparison

Question 7

Give 1 problem with the countries studied

Answer 7

Most of them were individualistic cultures

Question 8

Give 2 generalisability points for the study

Answer 8

• Used multiple countries (8 in total)

- Majority of studies done in the USA

Question 9

Give 2 reliability points for the study

Answer 9

• Standardised and replicable

- High inter-rater reliability

Question 10

Give an application point for this study

Answer 10

Can give parental advice and daycare advice

Question 11

Give 2 validity points for this study

Answer 11

• Extraneous variables - low in internal validity

- Designed for Western cultures

Question 12

Give 4 ethics points for this study

Answer 12

• Any harm to the children wasn’t Van Ijzendoorn’s fault
• Kept confidential
• Couldn’t withdraw
• Unethical to use in collectivist cultures