A01: Cross-cultural variations in attachment
Cross-cultural studies are conducted around the world on many different types of people.
The results are compared to see if there are any differences between different groups of people and cultures.
Most psychological research into attachment types has been conducted in America, which means that most psychological theories are limited because they are based on this group of people.
The results are compared to see if there are any differences between different groups of people and cultures.
Most psychological research into attachment types has been conducted in America, which means that most psychological theories are limited because they are based on this group of people.
Key study: Van Izjendoorn & Kroonenberg (1988)
A meta analysis of studies completed using the strange situation technique around the world.
It was found that there is consistency across the cultures and we can see that they findings were similar to Ainsworth & Bell (1970).
The researchers concluded that caregiver and infant interactions were similar around the world.
Although there were cultural differences. for instance Germany and Japan illustrated variations in the number of children classed avoidant insecure and resistant insecure.
It was found that there is consistency across the cultures and we can see that they findings were similar to Ainsworth & Bell (1970).
The researchers concluded that caregiver and infant interactions were similar around the world.
Although there were cultural differences. for instance Germany and Japan illustrated variations in the number of children classed avoidant insecure and resistant insecure.
A02: Evaluation of research into cultural variations of attachment.
One limitation is that the cross-cultural data collected presented by Van Ijzendoorn and Kroonenberg (1988) fails to tell us the number of children involvedin each study.
Although it does tells us the number of studies included from each country. In addition to this we do not know how each of the studies was carried out. therefore we need to be careful when interpreting the data as some sample sizes were very small (Chinese only used 36 children).
Although it does tells us the number of studies included from each country. In addition to this we do not know how each of the studies was carried out. therefore we need to be careful when interpreting the data as some sample sizes were very small (Chinese only used 36 children).
Key study: Takahashi (1990) Demonstrates inconsistency
Aim:To test whether the strange situation is a valid procedure for cultures other than American middle class, white children and their mothers
Procedures: 60 middle class Japanese mothers and their children were observed in the Strange Situation. All the families were middle class and raised at home.
Findings: Securely attached = 68% (similar to Ainsworth & Bell, 1970)
Avoidant-insecure = 0%
Resistant-insecure = 32%
However, Japanese children were very distressed when left alone. In 90% of the cases the 'child alone' stage was removed as the children were very distressed. If this had not happened it is suggested that even more children may have been class as securely attached.
Conclusions: There are cross cultural vairations in the way children behave when left alone. Cultural variations in behaviour may be a result of learnt behaviour.
Japanese culture teaches that avoidant behaviour is impolite.
Finally it should be noted that the Strange Situation does not measure Japanese behaviour effectively and therefore may not be a valid measure of attachment type.
Procedures: 60 middle class Japanese mothers and their children were observed in the Strange Situation. All the families were middle class and raised at home.
Findings: Securely attached = 68% (similar to Ainsworth & Bell, 1970)
Avoidant-insecure = 0%
Resistant-insecure = 32%
However, Japanese children were very distressed when left alone. In 90% of the cases the 'child alone' stage was removed as the children were very distressed. If this had not happened it is suggested that even more children may have been class as securely attached.
Conclusions: There are cross cultural vairations in the way children behave when left alone. Cultural variations in behaviour may be a result of learnt behaviour.
Japanese culture teaches that avoidant behaviour is impolite.
Finally it should be noted that the Strange Situation does not measure Japanese behaviour effectively and therefore may not be a valid measure of attachment type.
A02 Ethical issue: Lack of Protection from psychological harm Findings cannot be generalised as the study only uses a small sample (60) and may not be representative
Further supporting evidence of monotropy and attachment
Ainsworth (1967) studies members of a Ganda tribe of Uganda where patterns of childcare involved multiple carers, and concluded that the infants nevertheless formed one primary attachment.
Tronick et al (1992) studied children from Zaire, (Africa) who lived in extended family groups. These children were cared for by whom ever was closest and were breast fed by different women but slept with their own mother. Despite this it was found that at 1 year old the children had formed an attachment to their biological mother.
Tronick et al (1992) studied children from Zaire, (Africa) who lived in extended family groups. These children were cared for by whom ever was closest and were breast fed by different women but slept with their own mother. Despite this it was found that at 1 year old the children had formed an attachment to their biological mother.