Cultural Variations in Attachment

Question 1

Van Ijzendoorn & Kroonenberg (1988)

Answer 1

Meta-analysis of 32 studies using the Strange Situation found secure attachment most common (but differed from 75% in GB to 50% in China), individualist countries more insecure-avoidant, collectivist countries more insecure-resistant

Question 2

Simonelli (2014)

Answer 2

Italian study found 50% secure, 36% insecure-avoidant

Question 3

Jin (2012)

Answer 3

Korean study found only 1/87 babies avoidant

Question 4

Strengths of cultural variations in attachment

Answer 4

• Indigenous researchers (eg. Misunderstandings of language used and stereotypes avoided)
• Standardised procedure (eg. Bick found high inter-observer reliability / agreement on attachment type in 94% of cases)

Question 5

Limitations of cultural variations in attachment

Answer 5

• Confounding variables (eg. Cross-cultural studies not usually matched for methodology or environmental variables)
• Imposed etic (eg. In GB and USA lack of affection on reunion may indicate avoidant attachment whereas in Germany independence)