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Advantages
- LARGE SAMPLES WITH META-ANALYSISIn van Ijzendoorn and Kroonenberg's meta-analysis there was a total of nearly 2000 babies and their primary attachment figures.Even Simonelli et al.'s study had large comparison groups from previous research, although their own samples were smaller.This is a strength because large samples increase internal validity by reducing the impact of biased methodology or very unusual participants.
- THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE EXPLANATION FOR THE SIMILARITIES FOUND BETWEEN CULTURES Bowlby's explanation for cultural similarities was that attachment is innate and universal so produces the same kind of behaviours all over the world.Van Ijzendoorn and Kroonenberg proposed an alternative possibility.They suggest that cross-cultural differences may reflect the effects of the mass media.Many books and TV programmes are broadcast around the world and create parenting norms, so similarities in child-rearing have become more common.
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Disadvantages
- SAMPLES USED MAY NOT BE REPRESENTATIVE OF CULTURESVan Ijzendoorn and Kroonenberg's meta-analysis made comparisons between countries, not cultures.Within any country there are different cultures each with different child-rearing practices.For example, van Ijzendoorn and Sagi (2001) found attachment types in urban Tokyo in similar proportions to Western studies.A more rural sample over-represented insecure-resistant individuals.This means that comparisons between countries (such as Italy or Korea) may have little meaning.The particular cultural characteristics (and thus caregiving styles) of the sample need to be specified.
- THE STRANGE SITUATION METHOD MAY BE BIASED TOWARDS AMERICAN/BRITISH CULTUREThe Strange Situation was designed by an American researcher (Ainsworth) based on a British theory (Bowlby).This theory and assessment may not be applicable to other cultures.Trying to apply a theory or technique designed for one culture to another is known as imposed etic (etic means cultural universals) which disregards the notion of cultural emic (cultural uniqueness).This idea that a lack of pleasure on reunion indicates insecure attachment is an imposed etic.In Germany, this behaviour might be seen more as independence than avoidance and not a sign of insecurity.
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