Paper 1 - Attachment - Types of attachment and cultural variations

Question 1

What research method was used by Ainsworth in the Strange Situation?

Bonus - strengths of this method?

Answer 1

Controlled observation

Strengths - objective behaviour categories and high inter-observer reliability

Question 2

What were the behaviour categories being observed in the Strange Situation?

4 in total

Answer 2

1. Willingness to explore (safe base)
2. Separation anxiety
3. Stranger anxiety
4. Reuinion behaviour

Question 3

How would a secure child behave in the strange situation?

Answer 3

1. Willing to explore (use mother as safe base)
2. Moderate separation anxiety (easy to soothe)
3. Moderate stranger anxiety (easy to soothe)
4. Joy on reunion (enthusiastic)

Question 4

How would an insecure-resistant child behave in the strange situation?

Answer 4

1. Not willing to explore (clingy)
2. High separation anxiety (not easy to soothe)
3. High stranger anxiety (not easy to soothe)
4. Seek and reject (ambiguous)

Question 5

How would an insecure-avoidant child behave in the strange situation?

Answer 5

1. Willing to explore
2. Low separation anxiety
3. Low stranger anxiety
4. Avoids contact

Question 6

What were the % findings for different attachment types in Ainsworth’s Strange Situation?

Answer 6

1. Secure - 60-75%
2. Insecure-avoidant - 20-25%
3. Insecure-resistant - 3-12%

Question 7

Evalaute types of attachment (Ainsworth’s Strange Situation)

Answer 7

:) High inter-observer realibility (94%)
:( Fourth attacment type not considered - insecure-disorgansed
:( Genetic temperament - confounding variable
:( Cultural bias - SS as an imposed etic

Question 8

Who studied cultural variations of attachment?

They are named on the spec so you need to know!

Answer 8

Van Izjendoorn
(and Kroonenberg)

Question 9

What research method was used to investigate cultural variations in attachment?

Answer 9

Meta-analysis

Secondary research of existing studies with an effect size

Question 10

How many participants and studies were in Van Ijzendoorns research?

Answer 10

• 32 studies of 8 countries
• 1,990 pps (or almost 2,000)

Question 11

What were the key findings from Van Ijzendoorns research?

Hint - 4 in total

Answer 11

• 150% variation within cultures than between
• All countries most common secure
• Japan higher % of insecure-resistant (rarely separated)
• Germany higher % of insecure-avoidance (promote independence)

Question 12

Evaluate research into cultural variations in attachment

Answer 12

:( Imposed etic using SS to measure universally
:( Lack of temporal validity - 2014 Italian study higher avoidant and lower secure - working mothers and childcare
:) Strengths of meta-analysis, large sample, external validity
:( Countries not cultures - urban areas vs. rural areas. Confounding variable.