AO3 - Van IJzendoorn Study

• Comparisons in Van Ijzendoorn is aided by the standardised methodology of the 32 studies, which adds to the reliability of the findings.
• The strange situation is a standardised method, in a controlled environment, so has high internal validity.
• The study was not globally representative as many countries were not represented, this limits the generalisation.
• Many of the studies used were biased to western society which makes them ethnocentric.
• There is no knowledge that levels of control were consistent across the 32 studies, which lowers the reliability.
• Overall findings are misleading as a disproportionately high number of the studies reviewed were conducted in the USA (18/32).
• Simonelli et al (2014) conducted a study in Italy to compare the findings, they found only 50% were securely attached.
• Mi Kyoung Jin et al (2012) conducted a study in Korea finding most babies to be securely attached but also found more to be insecure resistant than in other studies.
• Secure attachment seems to be the norm, suggesting that practical applications giving advice to new parents could be useful.
• Meta-analyses include very large samples, which improves the population validity of the findings.
• It was assumed that attachment had the same meaning in all cultures, when in fact cultural perception and understanding of behaviour differ greatly.
• Morelli & Tronick (1991) studied attachment patterns in the Efe of Zaire which may have created bias, as they were from a different cultural background.
• Confounding variables can play a part in research from meta-analyses.
• A limitation of cross cultural research is in trying to impose a test designed for one culture onto another.