Cultural Variations

Question 1

Describe Van Ljizendoorn’s study

Answer 1

Used SS to investigate proportions of infants with different attachment types across 8 countries.

Meta analysis of data

Question 2

What did Van Ljizendoorn find?

Answer 2

Secure attachment most common (75% in UK, 50% in china)
Insecure resistant least common (3% UK, 50% Israel)
Insecure avoidant most common in Germany and least in japan

Question 3

Describe Simonella et al’s research

Answer 3

Italy

Used SS—> found 50% secure, 36% insecure avoidant.

Changed over time due to changing parenting practices

Question 4

Describe Jin Et al research

Answer 4

Korean
Used SS
Attachment rates similar to japan which could be due to similar parenting

Question 5

Describe the conclusions of these studies

Answer 5

Appears attachment is innate and universal. Secure is the norm. Cultural processes affect attachment.

Question 6

One strength of cultural variations (AO3)

Answer 6

Large samples

Combining results of attachment studies in different countries = large sample.
Eg. Van Ljzendoorn -> meta analysis of nearly 2000 babies

High internal validity wooooooo

Question 7

One limitation of these studies (culture) (AO3)

Answer 7

Unrepresentative of culture

Van Ljizendoorn claimed to study cultural variation but they studied countries not culture.
In countries there can be many different cultures. Comparisons between different countries may have little meaning. Culture of sample need to be specified.

Question 8

Another limitation (AO3)

Answer 8

Assessment bias
Etic and Emic (imposed)

SS imposed Anglo American test onto other cultures/ countries.

Eg. Lack of separation anxiety indicates insecure. However in Germany may be more as independence than avoidance.