Cultural Variations

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Collectivist Individualist

Read p.44: Cultural variations in attachment.

Read the section on p.44 under the photograph.

Individualist cultures emphasise individual

achievement and independence. Collectivist

cultures, on the other hand emphasise social

cooperation and compliance as a goal of

child-rearing.

Rothenbaum et al (2000) argue that the concept of attachment is a Western idea that reflects Western cultures, ideals, and

norms.

Japan is a collectivist culture

Rothenbaum et al (2000) suggest three aspects of attachment theory show

particular bias.

1. The Sensitivity Hypothesis

Western: attachment patterns arise because of sensitive and responsive caring to develop independence and autonomy.

Japanese: responsiveness and sensitivity are used to encourage closer dependency

on the mother and to control infant emotions.

2. The Secure Base Hypothesis

Western: a healthy attachment is one where the child has a secure base, encouraging exploration and eventual individuation.

Japanese: dependency is more desirable. Amae encourages closeness and

interdependence, both classed in the west as undesirable anxious-resistant characteristics.

Read p.44 Cross-cultural differences

Takahashi (1990)

What did Takahshi find?

How did the Japanese children behave when left alone?

Why did Takahashi find high rates of insecure-resistant attachment?

Read p.45: Meta-analysis.

How many countries were examined in this study?

Summarise the main findings of this research.

Have a look at the bar chart showing the findings of the study. State two conclusions

you can draw from this study.

Van Ijzendoorn and Kroonenberg (1988)

Read p. 44 Cross-cultural similarities

Explain how research on cultural variations does or does not support

Bowlby’s theory of attachment.

Read p.46 - 47 Evaluating cultural variations in

attachment

A psychologist intends to conduct cross-cultural research into attachment and has moved with her family from Britain to Japan. She is having

problems finding a nursery place for her 8-month-old baby.(a) Use what you know of culture

and attachment to explain the problem of finding a nursery

place. (2 marks)(b) Explain the difficulty that the

psychologist might have using the strange situation in her research. (4

marks)

Practice Questions

1. State two ways in which attachments can vary across cultures (2 marks)

2. Outline what one study has shown about cultural variations in attachment. (4 marks)

3. Explain how psychologists have investigated cultural variations in

attachment. (4 marks)4. ‘Bowlby developed his theory of attachment on the basis that the features of attachment are

universal - that is, they apply to all human beings in all cultures.’

Discuss cultural variations in attachment. (12 marks)