cross-cultural variation
Outline and evaluate research into cross-cultural variation in Attachment (12)
Some studies support Bowlby's theory view that attachment is universal and those studies show cultural similarities. However there are also studies that suggest the importance of cultural differences.
Some research suggest that some aspects of attachment are consistent across cultures. Ainsworth's research supports this. She found in her studies of Us children and Ugandan childrens that sensitive mothering was linked to a child having a secure attachment in both cultures. However Rothbaum suggested sensitivity is linked in Western cultures to independence, whilst in collectivist cultures e.g. Japan is associated with dependance. So this indicates that strong situation may be based in the values of Western society and so may not be revenant to other cultures and this means that the Strange situation may not be valid.
A primary caregiver, usually mother, who the child recognizes as their central caregiver, has been found in different cultures: Fox's research in an Israel Kibbutz where children were lookв after by communal nurses and also Tronicks research of the Efe tribe, in which mothers shared childcare. Those researches support Bowlby's theory that attachment is innate characteristic and it is also universal. However important differences has also been found between cultures in how securely the children are attached. The study was done by Grossman and Grossman and it found that german children tend to be described as insecurely attached when tested with the "Strange Situation'. This may be due to different childrearing practices. German culture involves keeping some interpersonal distance between parent and children, so infants do not engage in proximity-seeking behaviours in the strange situation and thus appear to be insecurely attached.
Takahashi (1990) found that children were particularly distressed when they were left alone during the strange situation. He used 60
Some studies support Bowlby's theory view that attachment is universal and those studies show cultural similarities. However there are also studies that suggest the importance of cultural differences.
Some research suggest that some aspects of attachment are consistent across cultures. Ainsworth's research supports this. She found in her studies of Us children and Ugandan childrens that sensitive mothering was linked to a child having a secure attachment in both cultures. However Rothbaum suggested sensitivity is linked in Western cultures to independence, whilst in collectivist cultures e.g. Japan is associated with dependance. So this indicates that strong situation may be based in the values of Western society and so may not be revenant to other cultures and this means that the Strange situation may not be valid.
A primary caregiver, usually mother, who the child recognizes as their central caregiver, has been found in different cultures: Fox's research in an Israel Kibbutz where children were lookв after by communal nurses and also Tronicks research of the Efe tribe, in which mothers shared childcare. Those researches support Bowlby's theory that attachment is innate characteristic and it is also universal. However important differences has also been found between cultures in how securely the children are attached. The study was done by Grossman and Grossman and it found that german children tend to be described as insecurely attached when tested with the "Strange Situation'. This may be due to different childrearing practices. German culture involves keeping some interpersonal distance between parent and children, so infants do not engage in proximity-seeking behaviours in the strange situation and thus appear to be insecurely attached.
Takahashi (1990) found that children were particularly distressed when they were left alone during the strange situation. He used 60