Lalonde et al

Question 1

Aim

Answer 1

To investigate the process by which culture influences views on relationships

Question 2

Method

Answer 2

Correlational study on 97 South Asian Canadians (SA-C) and 89 European Canadians (EC) university students (the immigrant parents of SA participants were of arranged marriages and follow traditional relationship practices *collectivists)
1. Singelis scale to measure if they were individualistic or collectivist
2. Family connectedness scale to see how close the family is (1-7)
3. Preferred mate attributes scale

Question 3

Results

Answer 3

• Rates of collectivism were higher in SA-Cs compared to the ECs
• Positive moderate correlation (r=0.32) between the degree of family connectedness and preference for traditional attributes (dowry, parental approval, etc) for SA-C participants

Question 4

Conclusion

Answer 4

• Suggests that SA-Cs have retained values of their collectivist parents (enculturation is happening within families)
• Suggests that the stronger the family connectedness is, the stronger the parental influence is on mate preferences (meaning parents are acting as gatekeepers)