Cultural variations in attachment

Cultural variations in attachment

Definitions

Cultural Similarities = Efe infants (Tronick et al)

Cultural Differences = more insecure attachments in German sample (Grossmann and Grossmann)

Cultural Differences = no avoidant attachment in Japan sample (Takahashi)

Description

- Key study: Van Ijzendoorn and Kroonenberg's meta-analysis of 32 studies from 8 countries, using the Strange Situation

- Findings: secure attachment was the 'norm' in all countries, and there was greater variation within countries than between them

Evaluation

- Similarities may be due to global culture

- Within countries, there are cultural differences (e.g. rural versus urban Japanese)

- Cross cultural research uses tools developed in 1 country in a different setting, where it has a different meaning (imposed etic)

​​​​​​Further Evaluation

- Culture bias: Rothbaum argues that attachment theory generally has a Western bias

- Indigenous theories: may be the solution, though Posada and Jacobs suggest that there are universal attahcment behaviours