CULTURAL VARIATIONS IN ATTACHMENT
A01 – DESCRIBE
If attachment is a biological and innate process, secure attachment should be optimal for all cultures
regardless of cultural variations.(if such attachments are only found in some cultures it suggests
attachment is not innately determined but is related to different childrearing methods used in
different cultures.) Van Ijzendoorn and Kroonenberg conducted a meta analysis of findings from 32
studies from 8 countries of attachment behaviour using the strange situation. They found only small
differences between cultures. Secure attachment was the most common attachment in all countries.
Insecure avoidant next most common in all countries apart from Japan and Israel. They concluded
that results across cultures were similar to that found in U.S.A. Supporting the view that attachment is
an innate and biological process.
A02 – EVALUATE
1. The strange situation may not be a valid measure of attachment in all cultures. It is based on
the notion that autonomy, individuation and exploration (independence) are the outcomes of
secure attachment. Western cultures value independence but other culture e.g. Japan are
collectivist. Takahashi reports that Japanese infants are rarely separated from their mothers
and this could be why they became very distressed making them appear insecurely attached.
Grossmann and Grossmann – German infants tend to be classified as insecure this may be due
to German culture that involves interpersonal distance. In other words the differences may
be due to different childrearing practises.
2. A surprising finding was there were greater differences within cultures than between cultures.
(different countries are not the same as different cultures) Some studies involved middle class
infants whereas others involved working class infants. Some in U.S.A. looked at urban areas
and some at rural which may be more similar to rural areas in other countries than they are to
urban areas in U.s. I.e. data was collected from sub cultures within each country
3. An alternative explanation for the similarities between cultures ii the effect of mass media
(T.V. and books) which spread ideas about parenting so that children all over the world are
exposed to similar influences. Similarities may NOT be due to innate biological influences but
our increasingly global culture.
4. A major problem for research in this area involves the researchers and the tools used.
Researchers from different countries or regions may have problems understanding the
language, problems with urban residents studying a rural community. Psychologists measure
behaviour with e.g. intelligence tests or observations. These tools are related to the cultural
assumptions of the test/technique designer.(Imposed etic) In Strange Situation it is assumed
the willingness to explore is a sign of secure attachment, however this is not always the case
e.g. in traditional Japanese culture dependence rather than independence would be a sign of
secure attachment.