AO3

• A strength of Van IJzendoorn and Kroonenberg's study is its large sample size, which contributes to high population validity. The meta-analysis included data from 32 studies and 1,990 children, making the sample diverse and representative of various countries and cultures. This large sample helps ensure that the findings are not influenced by outliers or unrepresentative data, which increases the generalizability of the results. As the study covers multiple countries, it provides a broader understanding of attachment patterns across different cultures, which strengthens its external validity. Therefore, the large sample size enhances the credibility of the conclusions about cross-cultural differences in attachment.
• What is a strength of Van IJzendoorn and Kroonenberg's study?

  Large sample size increases population validity
• How many studies were included in Van IJzendoorn and Kroonenberg's meta-analysis?

  32 studies
• How many children were included in Van IJzendoorn and Kroonenberg's meta-analysis?

  1,990 children
• How does a large sample size enhance the population validity of a study?

  It ensures results are representative of a wider population
• What does the population validity of Van IJzendoorn and Kroonenberg's study suggest?

  Findings about attachment patterns apply across cultures
• How does a large sample size reduce the likelihood of bias in a study?

  It reduces the risk of outliers influencing results
• What are the implications of a large sample size in research studies?

  • Increases population validity
  • Enhances generalizability of findings
  • Reduces likelihood of bias
  • Provides more credible and reliable conclusions
• A strength of studying cultural variations in attachment is its real-life application to child-rearing styles. Van IJzendoorn and Kroonenberg found that in collectivist cultures, like Japan, children had higher rates of insecure-resistant attachment, indicating an emphasis on close caregiver proximity. In contrast, individualist cultures, like the US, showed higher rates of insecure-avoidant attachment, where independence is prioritized. This highlights how cultural values influence parenting styles, helping caregivers adopt culturally appropriate strategies for supporting child development and ensuring better outcomes for children.
• A limitation of studying cultural variations in attachment is that there can still be significant variations within a country. For example, in Japan, a study found that attachment patterns in Tokyo were similar to those in Western countries, with higher rates of insecure-avoidant attachment. However, in rural areas of Japan, there were more cases of insecure-resistant attachment, which suggests that geographical and regional differences within a single culture can influence attachment styles. This challenges the assumption that a single cultural context defines attachment patterns across an entire country, highlighting the need to consider subcultural variations and not just national trends.
• A key criticism of research into cultural variations is its cultural bias, especially due to the Strange Situation’s Western origins. Developed by Ainsworth, it reflects American child-rearing norms, using behaviours like separation anxiety and exploration to judge attachment. However, these may not carry the same meaning in all cultures. For instance, Japanese infants often show high separation anxiety simply because they are rarely separated from their caregivers, not due to insecure attachment. This illustrates an imposed etic—applying Western measures to non-Western contexts—meaning studies like Van IJzendoorn and Kroonenberg’s may reflect methodological bias more than genuine cultural differences.
• What is a key criticism of cultural variations in attachment research?

  • It may be culturally biased
  • Especially due to the Strange Situation
  • Reflects Western norms
• How is the Strange Situation culturally biased?

  It reflects American child-rearing norms
• What is an imposed etic in attachment research?

  Applying one's cultural norms to other cultures
• Who developed the Strange Situation?

  Ainsworth
• Why might the Strange Situation not accurately assess attachment in Japanese infants?

  High separation anxiety due to caregiver proximity
• What behaviors does the Strange Situation use to judge attachment?

  Separation anxiety and exploration