Korean Mothers' Intuitive Theories Regarding Emotion Socialization of their Children

German and Korean mothers' sensitivity and related parenting beliefs

“…Further, our study is the first one to analyze parenting beliefs related to pro- and reactive sensitivity in a cross-cultural comparison. As the study by Park et al (2012) indicates both reactive as well as proactive sensitivity can be found in South Korean mothers. According to the notion that South Korea is subject to “Westernization” (e.g., Kim et al, 2005; Chang and Song, 2010) but that traditional Korean values still prevail (e.g., Park and Cheah, 2005; Schwarz et al, 2005; Chang and Song, 2010), it is fruitful to compare Korean mothers to mothers living in a Western context in order to elaborate the understanding of sensitivity in cultural context.…”

“…The mothers explained this preference by referring to children's developmental stage and their goal of preventing accidents by intervening beforehand. In contrast, mothers who reported that they would expect their children to clearly communicate their needs (reactive sensitivity) explained that they aimed to encourage children's autonomy and independence (Park et al, 2012). …”

The Role of Culture in Social Development Over the Lifespan: An Interpersonal Relations Approach

“…A strict dichotomy suggested by these concepts (autonomy/relatedness; individualism/collectivism; independence/interdependence) is too artificial (Greenfield, 2010;Trommsdorff, 2012a). For instance, studies on changing societies (in transition from traditionality to modernity) show that both dimensions may be integrated (Kagitcibasi, 1996;Park et al, 2012). It can be assumed that the need for both autonomy and relatedness characterizes human development throughout the life span and allows for adaptation to social change and changing developmental tasks with cultural differences regarding their respective priority (Rothbaum & Trommsdorff, 2007).…”

“…Also, the behavior of the caretaker varies according to the caretakers' subjective theories (Goodnow, 1995). Therefore, cultural differences in such developmental theories and goals often occur (Friedlmeier, Schäfermeier, Vasconcellos, & Trommsdorff, 2008;Park, Trommsdorff, & Lee, 2012;Rosenthal & Roer-Strier, 2001;Trommsdorff, Cole, & Heikamp, 2012). These culturespecific theories, goals, and practices are part of the "developmental niche" of the child (Super & Harkness, 1997) influencing the child's development.…”

“…Relatively few crosscultural studies have demonstrated universalities in the function and structure of attachment for child development and culture-specificities in the caretaker's behavior such as sensitivity (van IJzendoorn & Sagi, 1999). Our own studies show that measurements of mothers' sensitivity should include culture-specific functions, e.g., proactive and reactive behavior of mothers when interactiing with their child (Friedlmeier & Trommsdorff, 1999;Park et al, 2012;Trommsdorff & Friedlmeier, 1993. Several studies have also focused on the intergenerational transmission of attachment quality; however, it seems that parent-child congruence might not be the only outcome of this process as complementarity between different attachment styles of parents and children has also been found (see Lubiewska, 2013, for an overview).…”