Cultural variations in attachment

What was the procedure and aims of Van IJzendoom and Kroonenbergs research?

. Aim was to look at the variations in types of attachment across countries to assess cultural differences between and within countries

. Meta-analysis of 32 different studies from 8 different countries, studies were combined and analysed together

What were the findings of Van IJzendoom and Kroonenbergs research?

. In all countries secure attachment was the most common

Individualistic: percentage of insecure-resistant was the same as Ainsworths original study

Collectivist: percentage of insecure-avoidant was lower and insecure-resistant was higher

What was the procedure and aims of the Italian study?

. Conducted a study to see if proportions of attachment in Italy were the same as older studies

. Used the strange situation to assess 76 mothers with babies over 12 months

What were the findings of the Italian study?

. 50% were secure and 36% were insecure-avoidant, lower rates of secure and higher of insecure-avoidant than other studies

. May be due more households having both parents working longer hours and use professional childcare

What was the procedure and aims of the Korean study?

. Compared proportions of attachment types in Korea to other countries, used the strange situation to assess 87 mothers and babies

What were the findings of the Korean study?

. Overall proportions of insecure and secure attachment toes in Korea were similar to most countries however, most of those who were insecure were resistant with only one avoidant

. Similar to Japan as they have similar child rearing styles

What are the strengths of cultural variations in attatchment?

. Most of the studies were conducted by local researchers, from the same cultural background as the participants which eliminates any problems in cross-cultural research such as misunderstandings with language or bias involving stereotypes, increases validity

However, not always the case Morelli and Tronick studied patterns of attachment in the DRC, were outsiders from America so their data may have been effected by difficulties and lack validity

. Enhanced understanding of attachment behaviour, emic research (looking for local behaviours) is more useful than the usual etic approach (looking for universal behaviours), attachment may be understood differently across cultures (e.g lack of affection upon reunion may be a sign of avoidant attachment or independence)

What are the weaknesses of cultural variations of attachment?

. Impact of extraneous variables, studies conducted in different countries can’t be matched exactly, sample characteristics (age, poverty) and environmental variables (babies may explore more in small room with lots of toys than large bare rooms) can affect the style of attatchment shown, non-matched studies may not tell us anything about cross-cultural patterns of attachment