Van Izjendorm And Kroonenberg 1988

Question 1

Aim

Answer 1

Investigate similarities and differences in the ratio of attachment types in different countries to see if attachment types are universal or cultural specific
Conducted a meta analysis from 32 separate studies all using strange situation procedure - increases reliability
Shows consistency of results especially in US as the test was repeated 18 times
Type B secure attachment was the model classification in almost all samples

Question 2

Generalisability

Answer 2

Lots of different cultures, carried out studies in 8 different countries e.g England, Germany, Israel, Japan
Generalisable to all cultures however, not all cultures were studied and different cultural beliefs may have affected results
Such as Africa and African culture

Question 3

Validity
Weakness

Answer 3

Methodology used to observe was overt observation, they were looking for stranger anxiety and if the children were happy or not to be reunited w their parents
Therefore as the mothers knew they were being observed may have behaved unnaturally which could have lead to demand characteristics and decreasing validity of the study

Question 4

Ethics
Strengths

Answer 4

Meta analysis, was secondary data and so did not engage with participants therefore couldn’t have caused distress
Although it’s unclear if pps gave consent for there data to be used in meta analysis

Question 5

Application

Answer 5

Important for people working in day care facilities on how best to shape behaviours to focus on providing good quality day care
Provides important empirical evidence for govt initiatives in terms of where money is best spent

Question 6

Weakness - observations

Answer 6

Westernised standards of attachment

Question 7

Findings

Answer 7

• Type B was model classification in all samples except Ger sample
• fewer Type Cs and more Type As in the European countries (Britain, Sweden, Netherlands, Ger), opposite was true for Jap and Isreal

Question 8

Conclusions

Answer 8

High levels of Type B may suggest attachment is an innate and biological process
Individualist vs collectivist cultures

Question 9

Weakness - internal validity

Answer 9

Meta analysis drew conclusions about cultural differences yet it was acc comparing countries
There is no info about cultural background of each sample
Means other comparisons could be made e.g. between rural communities that may be more revealing

Question 10

Procedure

Answer 10

Meta analysis 32 studies using SSP to classify mother infant attachment
Eight countries 1990 SSP classifications
Excluded children over 24 months and special groups (twins)