Cultural variations in attachment

Question 1

A01

Define Cultural variations

Answer 1

Differences in norms & values between people in diff groups .

Question 2

A01

Outline Van Ijzendoorn & Kroonberg’s research

Answer 2

• conducted a meta-analysis of 32 studies using 8 countries,( where strange situation been used)
  to investigate the patterns of attachment across a variety of cultures
• looked at proportions of secure, insecure-avoidant & insecure-resistant attachments across range of countries assessing cultural variations within a culture

A meta-analysis is when you take the work of several other researchers and combine their data/findings to come to conclusions of your own

Question 3

A01

Outline Van Ijzendon & Kroonberg’s findings

Answer 3

found secure attachment was most common type of attachment in all cultures.
The lowest % of secure attachments -China 50%
highest % of secure attachments in Britain 75%
Results showed individualistic countries that support independence such as Germany had high levels of insecure-avoidant,
whereas Collectivist countries such as china, Japan & Israel, had high levels of Insecure resistance.

• Individualist cultures value independence with each working toward their own individual goals e.g. USA and Europe (Western Cultures).
• Collectivist cultures value cooperation with each working towards the family or group goals e.g. Japan and Israel (Eastern Cultures).

Question 4

A01

Italian study-Simonelli et al

Answer 4

assessed 76 babies aged 12 months using SS
found 50%- secure
36% insecure-avoidant
Simonella et al demonstrated proportion of securely attached children in Italy only 50%
This is lower rate of secure attachments & higher rate of insecure-avoidant attachment than whats found in other studies
researchers suggested changes due to
more mothers working & choosing to use professional childcare
decreasing likelihood their children will be able to form a secure attachment with consistent primary caregiver.

Question 5

A01

Korean study-Jin et al

Answer 5

Jin et al (2012) found when SS used to assess 87 Korean infants aged 6 months old,
* vast majority of insecurely attached children were classed as insecure resistant, as opposed to insecure avoidant.
* Thus, since pattern is similar to Japan, suggests similarities in child-rearing practices are influential in establishing patterns of attachment.

Question 6

Outline conclusions for all research

Answer 6

Secure attachment is norm in wide range of cultures , supporting bowlbys idea that attachment is inate & universal & this type is universal norm
However research shows cultural practices have influence on attachment type

Question 7

A03

Explain why Imposed etic is a limitation of cultural variations in attachment

Limitation

Answer 7

LIMITATION of cross-cultural research is trying to impose test design for one cultural context to other
>e.g. Strange situation assessed in Britain & USA
> lack of affection in stage of reunion may indicate avoidant attachment
>however, In Germany behaviour interpreted as independence rather than insecurity
>parts of strange situation may not work in Germany& not have same meanings in different cultural context
> comparing them across cultures is meaningless.

imposed etic occurs when we impose one idea that works in one cultural context to another

Question 8

A03

studies conducted by Indigenous Researchers

Strength

Answer 8

most studies conducted by indigenous researchers-means from same cultural background as p
>Van Ijzendorn & Kroonbergs-included researchers from germany -grossman & takhashi -japense
Means problems in cross-cultural research can be avoided, like researchers misunderstanding language used by p
means excellent chance researchers & P communicated successfully -enhancing validity of data collected

Question 9

A03

Explain how Confounding Variables is a limitation of cross cultural research

Limitation

Answer 9

studies conducted in diff countries are not matched for methodology when compared in reviews
sample characteristics such as poverty , social class & rural makeup can confound results
means looking at attachment behaviours in different non-matched studies conducted in diff countries may not tell us anything about cross cultural patterns of attachment

Question 10

A03

Van Ijzendoorn and Kroonenberg
method quick & cheap
reliable

Strength

Answer 10

The method is quicker & cheaper than alternatives
Meta-analysis allows the researchers to obtain data from countries where language & cultural barriers may have been an issue i.e. China and Japan
The study is reliable as it can easily be replicated
As the research has a large sample from a variety of places, it can be said to be representative and, therefore, generalisable