Cultural Variations in Attachment

Cultural Variations in Attachment

1. KEY STUDY: Van Ijzendoorn and Kroonenberg

   • Meta-analysis of 32 studies using the strange situation from 8 countries
   • Findings- secure attachment was the norm in all countries, greater variation within countries than between them

2. Description

   • Cultural similarities- Efe infants
   • Cultural differences- more insecure attachment in German samples (Grossman and Grossman)
   • Cultural differences- no avoidant attachment in Japan sample (Takahashi)

3. 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 one country in a different setting where it has a different meaning (imposed etic)

4. 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 attachment behaviours