culture variation Flashcards
Meta-analysis
A statistical analysis that combines the results of multiple scientific studies.
Secure attachment
A type of attachment characterized by trust and a strong bond between child and caregiver.
Insecure avoidant
A type of attachment where children show little distress when separated from their caregiver.
Insecure resistant
A type of attachment where children are overly clingy and show distress when separated.
Individualistic cultures
Cultures that emphasize personal independence and self-reliance.
Collectivist cultures
Cultures that emphasize group goals and interdependence.
Strange Situation
A standardized procedure for assessing attachment in children.
Bowlby’s theory
The theory that attachment is an innate behavior essential for survival.
Sample size
The number of participants included in a study.
Child-rearing styles
The methods and practices used by parents to raise their children.
Etic
Concepts or ideas that are considered universal across cultures.
Emic
Concepts or ideas that are specific to a particular culture.
Kagan’s Critique
Kagan et al. suggested that the strange situation measures anxiety rather than attachment.
Ijzendoorn and kroonenberg study: aim
Conducted a meta analysis to look at amount of secure/secure avoidant/secure resistant attachments across countries
Ijzendoorn and kroonenberg study: procedure
- Researchers studied 32 studies of attachment which used the strange situation
- These were conducted in 8 countries
- Data was meta analysed
Ijzendoorn and kroonenberg study: findings
- In all countries secure attachments were the most common
- Britain’s highest was secure attachments at 75% compared to china at 50%
Italian study
- Simonelli et al
- Assed 76 babies all 1 years old
- They found 50% were secure 36% insecure avoidant
- Lots of mothers of young babies work long hours and use childcare
simonelli et al
- italian study
- Assed 76 babies all 1 years old
- They found 50% were secure 36% insecure avoidant
- Lots of mothers of young babies work long hours and use childcare
Korean study
- jin et al
- used the strange situation to assess 87 babies
- most children had secure attachments
- Most of the insecure children were insecure resistant rather than avoidant
- similar attachment types in Japan this is because they have similar child-rearing styles
Conclusions
- In all cultures most children have secure attachment
- This supports bowlby’s theory that attachment is innate
- Culture practices have an influence on attachment type
Strengths
Large sample size - by combining the results from many different countries increased the sample size. This increases internal validity as they reduce the impact of anomalous results
