Evaluation of Cultural Variation Studies in Attachment

Strengths of the Research

1. Large Samples: Studies like the Van Ijzendoorn and Kroonenberg meta-analysis used large samples, which increases internal validity by reducing the impact of anomalous results.

Definition: Internal validity refers to the extent to which a study accurately measures what it intends to measure.

Limitations and Criticisms

1. Unrepresentative Samples: Despite large sample sizes, the samples used in these studies often fail to represent the full diversity within each culture.

2. Cross-Country Comparisons: Comparisons between countries may have limited impact as each country likely contains multiple cultures and subcultures.

3. Biased Assessment Method: The Strange Situation procedure, designed by an American based on a British theory, may not be universally applicable across cultures.

Example: In Germany, what might be interpreted as insecure-avoidant attachment could actually reflect cultural values of independence.

4. Alternative Explanations: The small cross-cultural differences observed might be attributed to the effects of mass media rather than inherent cultural variations.

5. Validity of the Strange Situation: Kagan et al. (1986) suggested that the Strange Situation might be measuring anxiety or temperament rather than attachment.

Quote: "Attachment is more related to temperament than relationship with primary attachment figure" - Kagan et al. (1986)

These evaluations are crucial for understanding the strengths and limitations of research into cultural variations in attachment and highlight the complexity of cross-cultural psychological research.

Cultural Variations in Attachment: Key Studies and Findings

Van Ijzendoorn and Kroonenberg's Meta-Analysis

Van Ijzendoorn and Kroonenberg (1988) conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis to examine cultural variations in attachment. Their study analyzed 32 studies using the Strange Situation procedure across 8 countries, involving 1,990 children.

Highlight: The meta-analysis revealed that secure attachment was the most common type in all countries studied, while insecure-resistant attachment was the least common overall.

A significant finding was that variations in attachment types were 150% greater within countries than across different countries. This suggests that while cultural differences exist, there is also considerable variation within individual cultures.

Example: The Van Ijzendoorn and Kroonenberg study provides a robust example of cultural variation in attachment, demonstrating both similarities and differences across cultures.

Other Studies of Cultural Variations

1. Italian Study by Simonella et al. (2014): This research found a lower rate of secure attachment compared to many other studies. The researchers attributed this to longer working hours for women and increased use of childcare in Italy.

2. Korean Study by Jin et al. (2012): This study discovered similar rates of secure and insecure attachments overall, but with higher rates of insecure-resistant attachment and only one case of insecure-avoidant attachment.

Vocabulary: Insecure-resistant attachment refers to a pattern where children show distress upon separation from caregivers but are difficult to comfort upon reunion.

These studies contribute to our understanding of how cultural variations in attachment manifest in different societies.