Differences in Attachment

Differences in Attachment

1. Types of Attachmenet

   • The Strange Situations: Anisworth1978 Controlled observation in a lab
     • 8 episodes to highlight certain behaviours; use of parent as secure base, stranger anxiety, separation anxiety, reunion behaviour,
     • Findings: Van Ijzidendoorn et al meta-analysis1999: Secure attachment- balance 62% Insecure avoidant-not affected much 15% Insecure resistant-desperate for mum then resistant 9% Insecure disorganised 15%
     • Validity: Measures one relationship not individual; Main & Weston evidence with fathers
     • Reliability: High inter-rater reliability, .94/1.00, almost perfect agreement when rating behaviour by experienced judges
     • Validity: Predictive validity demonstrated, Hazan & Shaver-'Love Quiz'
     • Effects; Longitudinal studies show continuities- secure attachment shows positive outcomes. Love Quiz Hazan&Shaver- adult romantic styles

2. Cultural Variation

   • Similarities
     • Ainsworth; Uganda Tronick et al; The Efe Fox; Israeli Kibbutzim
   • Differences
     • Insecure attachments & Grossmann & Grossmann; German interpersonal distance
   • Van Ijzendoorn & Kroonenberg; meta-analysis; global patterns of attachment similar suggesting attachment is innate, biological process
   • Culture Bias; Attachment theory rooted in US culture: sensitivity hypothesis, continuity hypothesis & secure base are related to Western ideals
   • Criticisms; Ijzendoorn & Kroonenberg-Large variations within countries, Subcultural differences within countries, Cross-Cultural research flawed- Strange Situations different meaning in different cultures