Outline and evaluate cultural variations in attachment
Para 1:
Van Ljzendoorn and Kroonenberg conducted a study where the aim was to see if there were
any INTER-CULTURAL variations is attachments (differences in attachment BETWEEN
cultures and countries)
They conducted a meta-analysis where 32 studies using the strange situation in 8 countries
were looked at. 2000 babies were studied
They found that the most common attachment type was B (SECURE)
There were differences in INSECURE attachments
Most type A (INSECURE AVOIDANT) were found in Germany (35%) compared to Japan
(5%)
Most type C (INSECURE RESISTANT) were found in Israel (29%) compared to GB (3%)
There was also INTRA-CULTURAL variations found (differences in attachment WITHIN
countries)
Eg, Japan (2 studies) - 1 had NO type A, other had 20% type A
Variation within countries was 1.5x bigger than between countries - due to different social
classes and ethnic backgrounds
Conclusions:
• There are both inter and intra cultural variations in attachment
• However, this research supports the idea that secure attachment is best for social and
emotional healthy development as it is the most common attachment in all of the 8
countries studied - the cultural similarity also supports Bowlby’s theory that attachment is
innate and it is a biological / evolutionary process
Para 2:
- Japanese children are encouraged to be very independent on their mothers - rarely separated
or left alone
• Japanese children show extreme anxiety on separation
• This meant there were more infants classified as Type C compared to American infants
• German children are encouraged to be independent so they are typically left alone or with
unfamiliar people from a young age
• German children showed little anxiety/ interest on separation and responded no differently
to the mother and stranger in the strange situation
• This meant that more infants were classified as Type A compared to American infants
Para 1:
Van Ljzendoorn and Kroonenberg conducted a study where the aim was to see if there were
any INTER-CULTURAL variations is attachments (differences in attachment BETWEEN
cultures and countries)
They conducted a meta-analysis where 32 studies using the strange situation in 8 countries
were looked at. 2000 babies were studied
They found that the most common attachment type was B (SECURE)
There were differences in INSECURE attachments
Most type A (INSECURE AVOIDANT) were found in Germany (35%) compared to Japan
(5%)
Most type C (INSECURE RESISTANT) were found in Israel (29%) compared to GB (3%)
There was also INTRA-CULTURAL variations found (differences in attachment WITHIN
countries)
Eg, Japan (2 studies) - 1 had NO type A, other had 20% type A
Variation within countries was 1.5x bigger than between countries - due to different social
classes and ethnic backgrounds
Conclusions:
• There are both inter and intra cultural variations in attachment
• However, this research supports the idea that secure attachment is best for social and
emotional healthy development as it is the most common attachment in all of the 8
countries studied - the cultural similarity also supports Bowlby’s theory that attachment is
innate and it is a biological / evolutionary process
Para 2:
- Japanese children are encouraged to be very independent on their mothers - rarely separated
or left alone
• Japanese children show extreme anxiety on separation
• This meant there were more infants classified as Type C compared to American infants
• German children are encouraged to be independent so they are typically left alone or with
unfamiliar people from a young age
• German children showed little anxiety/ interest on separation and responded no differently
to the mother and stranger in the strange situation
• This meant that more infants were classified as Type A compared to American infants
