Cultural Variations

Question 1

Who studied Cultural Variations?

Answer 1

Van Ijzendoorn and Kroonenberg (1988).

Question 2

Procedure

Answer 2

Meta-analysis uses secondary data from 32 studies all using the strange situation to investigate attachment types and then compares the results. These were conducted in 8 different countries; China, Germany, Great Britain, Israel, Japan, Netherlands, Sweden, USA.

Question 3

Findings

Answer 3

In all countries secure attachment was most common but proportion varied from 75% in GB to 50% in China. Individualistic cultures rates of insecure resistant attachment were under 14% but for collectivist cultures rates were above 25%. There was also variations within countries that were 150% greater than between e.g. in USA 46% securely attached but in another 90%.

Question 4

Other Studies

Answer 4

Simonelli et al 2014 (Italy) and Jine et al 2012 (Korea)

Question 5

Italian Study

Answer 5

Assessed 76 babies aged 1 year using strange situation. Found 50% were securely attached and 36% insecure avoidant. These increasing numbers are because a number of mothers of very young children work long hours and use professional childcare. Patterns aren’t static and vary in line with culture change.

Question 6

Korean Study

Answer 6

Assessed 87 babies using strange situation. The majority were secure but more were resistant with only one being avoidant. This is similar to Japan and since they have similar child rearing patterns it may be explained in terms of that. As secure the norm supports Bowlby’s there it is innate and universal but cultural practises clearly influence it.

Question 7

Strength (I)

Answer 7

Most conducted by indigenous researchers.
The research was done by people who lived in that country.
Potential problems in cross-cultural research are avoided e.g. misunderstanding language which strengthens validity.
However… not all though so some may be affected by bias and communication issues.

Question 8

Strength (S)

Answer 8

Large sample size.
Nearly 2000 babies and primary attachment figures.
Large sample size limit impact of anomalies which gives internal validity and also give generalisability.
However… with so many there is likely to be confounding variables like size of room and toys in it which impact exploration and proximity seeking behaviour. Could affect results of data by being categorised wrong.

Question 9

Weakness

Answer 9

Imposes test design.
Designed in America so fits that culture but in Germany may see lack of affection at reunion as independence and encourage that but they would see it as poor attachment.
Imposed etic to other cultures as it only works in one cultural context.
Furthermore… claims to study cultural differences but in this borderless globalised world cultures are not defined by their country and so it studies differences between countries.