Cultural Variations In Attachment

Question 1

Who studied cultural variations in attachment

Answer 1

Van Ijzendoorn

Question 2

What was the aim of the cultural variations study

Answer 2

To investigate the distribution of types of attachment in different cultures. To assess within culture variation in attachment types

Question 3

What was the procedure of the cultural variations study

Answer 3

• a meta-analysis of 32 studies from 8 countries that used the strange situation procedure to assess mother-child attachment and which classified and which classified attachments as type A, B or C
• all used strange situation and all had only mother-infant pairs
• excluded studies focusing on children with special needs studies with children over two and with less than 35 pairs

Question 4

What were the results?

- include countries W. Germany, Japan, China, Israel and Great Britain

Answer 4

§ Secure(B) Avoidant(A) Resistant(C)
W.Germany 57 {35} 8
Japan 68 5 {27}
China 50 25 25
Israel 64 7 {29}
GB {75} 22 3

Question 5

What was the conclusion of the cultural variations study

Answer 5

There may be universal characteristics that underpin infant and caregiver interactions. Differences between Western and Non-Western cultures may be due to child-rearing methods (Western children are more used to being left, therefore may be avoidant).

Question 6

Summarise evaluations of cultural variations of attachment

Answer 6

• highly reliable because every study used the strange situation
• supports universal laws of behaviour to explaining attachment
• lacks validity - cultural bias - 18 of the 32 studies were US
• hard to generalise + many counties studied has cultural variations within them e.g. Israel