Van Ijzendoorn and Kroonenberg (1988)

Question 1

What were the aims of V&K?

Answer 1

To see if patterns of attachment are better understood if a large data set is examined, not just individual smaller samples.

To look at attachment differences between cultures (intercultural) and within cultures (intracultural).

Question 2

What was the procedure of of V&K?

Answer 2

Meta-analysis of 32 studies that used the Strange Situation procedure (SSP) to classify mother-infant attachment.

Eight different countries, 1,990 SSP classifications. Exclusions studies with overlapping samples, special groups (e.g. twins), children older than 24 months.

Question 3

What are the findings of of V&K? (modal attachment type, fewer a more c in where, similarities and differences)

Answer 3

Fewer insecure-resistant (c) and more insecure-avoidant (a) in the four European countries (Britain, Sweden, Netherlands, Germany) than in the ‘average’ of all the samples.
The opposite was true for Israel and Japan.
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Similarities and differences:

Overall US sample was near the global centre.

Israel and Japanese samples had similar profiles and were different from Great Britain and Sweden.

Question 4

What are the conclusions of of V&K? (overall, similar and dissimilar countries, universal secure means…?)

Answer 4

Intercultural differences were quite considerable.

Israel and Japanese samples had similar profiles and were different from Great Britain and Sweden.

The universal high levels of Type B might suggest attachment is an innate and biological process.
However, this similarity may be explained by global mass media - TV and books that advocate particular parenting styles.