Culture variations in attachment

• What are cultural variations in attachment?

  Differences in attachment patterns across different cultures, often due to varying child-rearing practices and societal norms.
• What study is most associated with cultural variations in attachment?

  Van IJzendoorn and Kroonenberg's (1988) meta-analysis of 32 studies using the Strange Situation across 8 countries.
• What was the main aim of Van IJzendoorn and Kroonenberg's study?

  To investigate whether attachment types (secure, insecure-avoidant, insecure-resistant) differ between and within cultures.
• What is the Strange Situation?

  A controlled observational method developed by Ainsworth to assess attachment type in children.
• What were the main findings of Van IJzendoorn and Kroonenberg's study?

  Secure attachment was the most common in all countries. Insecure-avoidant was more common in Western cultures (e.g., Germany). Insecure-resistant was more common in non-Western cultures (e.g., Japan, Israel).
• Which country had the highest percentage of secure attachment in the study?

  The UK and Sweden, with secure attachment rates around 75%.
• Which country had a high percentage of insecure-avoidant attachment?

  Germany, with a focus on independence in child-rearing.
• : Which countries showed high levels of insecure-resistant attachment?

  Japan and Israel, where children are often more dependent on their mothers.
• What is intra-cultural variation?

  Differences in attachment types within the same culture, often greater than differences between cultures.
• What is a collectivist culture, and how does it affect attachment?

  Cultures like Japan and Israel prioritize group harmony and interdependence, leading to higher rates of insecure-resistant attachment.
• What is an individualist culture, and how does it affect attachment?

  : Cultures like the USA and Germany emphasize independence, often leading to higher rates of insecure-avoidant attachment.
• What is a criticism of using the Strange Situation across cultures?

  It is ethnocentric, as it was developed in the USA and may not be suitable for measuring attachment in other cultural contexts.
• Why are cultural differences in attachment important to consider?

  They highlight the influence of societal norms and child-rearing practices on attachment and challenge the universality of attachment theories.
• What is a key strength of Van IJzendoorn and Kroonenberg's study?

  Large sample size (almost 2000 children), increasing reliability and generalizability.
• What is a limitation of research into cultural variations in attachment?

  Samples may not be representative of entire cultures, leading to biased conclusions.