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18.8: Attachment and Culture

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  • Page ID
    141575

    • Amanda Taintor & Wendy Ruiz
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    Culture

    In the years that have followed Ainsworth's ground-breaking research, researchers have investigated various factors that may help determine whether children develop secure or insecure relationships with their primary attachment figures. Some cultural differences in attachment styles have been found (Rothbaum, Weisz, Pott, Miyake, & Morelli, 2000). For example, German parents value independence, and Japanese mothers are typically by their children's sides. As a result, the rate of insecure-avoidant attachments is higher in Germany, and insecure-resistant attachments are more elevated in Japan. However, these differences reflect cultural variation rather than actual insecurity (van Ijzendoorn and Sagi, 1999). [1]

    Odisha, Orissa, Mother, holds Infant in lap
    Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\): Infant and mother in India ([3])

    One of the critical determinants of attachment patterns is the history of sensitive and responsive interactions between the caregiver and the child. In short, when the child is uncertain or stressed, the ability of the caregiver to provide support to the child is critical for their psychological development. It is assumed that such supportive interactions help the child learn to regulate their emotions, give them the confidence to explore the environment and provide them with a safe haven during stressful circumstances.[2]

    It is essential to note that the attachment theory work of Bowlby and Ainsworth focused on Westernized caretaking ideals in their determination of healthy, secure attachment. What is considered "ideal" in Westernized culture is not necessarily prioritized in other cultures. Sensitivity and caution are required in determining if observed attachment patterns are adaptive within the child's environment.[2] Overall, secure attachment is the most common type of attachment seen in every culture studied thus far (Thompson, 2006). [1]

    [1] Human Development by Human Development Teaching & Learning Group is licensed under a Creative Commons CC: BY-NC-SA

    [2] Culture and Psychology is licensed under a Creative Commons CC-BY-NC-SA

    [3] Image by piqsels is in the public domain

    This page titled 18.8: Attachment and Culture is shared under a mixed 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Amanda Taintor & Wendy Ruiz.