When the work of Mary Ainsworth and the "strange situation" experiment are examined in cultures beyond the United States of America, there is often criticism that this type of investigation

is not appropriate for assessing the attachment of children in other cultures. Which of the following does your textbook state is one such argument against this type of research in other cultures?
a. Japanese infants are rarely separated from their mothers, so the use of a test that calls for separation is not valid.
b. In Finland, only boys are to be separated from their parents to foster independence, while girls are taught to be very dependent. Therefore, a test that calls for separation is not valid.
c. In Iran, infants are expected to be very dependent on their parents, and are praised for such behaviors. Therefore a test that calls for separation is not valid.
d. In Somalia, the scarcity of resources necessitates that children be kept very close to their parents at all times. Therefore, a test that calls for separation is not valid.

Answer: A