3.1: Caregiver-infant interactions in humans

Question 1

Briefly evaluate research into caregiver-infant interaction (4 marks)

Answer 1

Research into caregiver-infant interaction could be considered unethical

Question 2

Briefly evaluate research into caregiver-infant interaction (4 marks).
Research into caregiver-infant interaction could be considered unethical, why?

Answer 2

Research into caregiver-infant interaction could be considered unethical, because it is socially sensitive

Question 3

Briefly evaluate research into caregiver-infant interaction (4 marks).
Research into caregiver-infant interaction could be considered unethical, because it is socially sensitive.
Example

Answer 3

For example, Isabella et al. found that high levels of interactional synchrony were associated with better quality mother-infant interactions

Question 4

Briefly evaluate research into caregiver-infant interaction (4 marks).
Research into caregiver-infant interaction could be considered unethical, because it is socially sensitive.
For example, Isabella et al. found that high levels of interactional synchrony were associated with better quality mother-infant interactions.
What does this suggest?

Answer 4

This suggests that mothers should not return to work so soon, because they may be considered a ‘bad mother’ or alternatively may be made to feel guilty for returning to work

Question 5

Briefly discuss how researchers might address difficulties encountered when trying to investigate caregiver-infant interaction (4 marks)

Answer 5

Most research is observational

Question 6

Briefly discuss how researchers might address difficulties encountered when trying to investigate caregiver-infant interaction (4 marks).
Most research is observational, so what?

Answer 6

Most research is observational, so there could be bias in the observer’s interpretation

Question 7

Briefly discuss how researchers might address difficulties encountered when trying to investigate caregiver-infant interaction (4 marks).
Most research is observational, so there could be bias in the observer’s interpretation.
How may this be countered?

Answer 7

This may be countered by using more than one observer and establishing inter-rater reliability

Question 8

Briefly discuss how researchers might address difficulties encountered when trying to investigate caregiver-infant interaction (4 marks).
Most research is observational, so there could be bias in the observer’s interpretation.
This may be countered by using more than one observer and establishing inter-rater reliability.

What may there be?

Answer 8

There may be practical problems

Question 9

Briefly discuss how researchers might address difficulties encountered when trying to investigate caregiver-infant interaction (4 marks).
Most research is observational, so there could be bias in the observer’s interpretation.
This may be countered by using more than one observer and establishing inter-rater reliability.

There may be practical problems.
Example

Answer 9

For example, there is a need for fewer, but shorter observation periods, because of the infants’ limited waking periods

Question 10

Briefly discuss how researchers might address difficulties encountered when trying to investigate caregiver-infant interaction (4 marks).
Most research is observational, so there could be bias in the observer’s interpretation.
This may be countered by using more than one observer and establishing inter-rater reliability.

There may be practical problems.
For example, there is a need for fewer, but shorter observation periods, because of the infants’ limited waking periods.

What is there the problem of?

Answer 10

There is the problem of the context affecting behaviour

Question 11

Briefly discuss how researchers might address difficulties encountered when trying to investigate caregiver-infant interaction (4 marks).
Most research is observational, so there could be bias in the observer’s interpretation.
This may be countered by using more than one observer and establishing inter-rater reliability.

There may be practical problems.
For example, there is a need for fewer, but shorter observation periods, because of the infants’ limited waking periods.

There is the problem of the context affecting behaviour, so what?

Answer 11

There is the problem of the context affecting behaviour, so research should take place in a natural setting to increase validity

Question 12

Briefly discuss how researchers might address difficulties encountered when trying to investigate caregiver-infant interaction (4 marks).
Most research is observational, so there could be bias in the observer’s interpretation.
This may be countered by using more than one observer and establishing inter-rater reliability.

There may be practical problems.
For example, there is a need for fewer, but shorter observation periods, because of the infants’ limited waking periods.

There is the problem of the context affecting behaviour, so research should take place in a natural setting to increase validity.
Example

Answer 12

For example, in the child’s home

Question 13

Briefly discuss how researchers might address difficulties encountered when trying to investigate caregiver-infant interaction (4 marks).
Most research is observational, so there could be bias in the observer’s interpretation.
This may be countered by using more than one observer and establishing inter-rater reliability.

There may be practical problems.
For example, there is a need for fewer, but shorter observation periods, because of the infants’ limited waking periods.

There is the problem of the context affecting behaviour, so research should take place in a natural setting to increase validity.
For example, in the child’s home.

What should researchers also take extra care in relation to?

Answer 13

Researchers should also take extra care in relation to ethics

Question 14

Briefly discuss how researchers might address difficulties encountered when trying to investigate caregiver-infant interaction (4 marks).
Most research is observational, so there could be bias in the observer’s interpretation.
This may be countered by using more than one observer and establishing inter-rater reliability.

There may be practical problems.
For example, there is a need for fewer, but shorter observation periods, because of the infants’ limited waking periods.

There is the problem of the context affecting behaviour, so research should take place in a natural setting to increase validity.
For example, in the child’s home.

Researchers should also take extra care in relation to ethics, so as to not do what?

Answer 14

Researchers should also take extra care in relation to ethics, so as to not affect the child/parent in any way

Question 15

Briefly discuss how researchers might address difficulties encountered when trying to investigate caregiver-infant interaction (4 marks).
Most research is observational, so there could be bias in the observer’s interpretation.
This may be countered by using more than one observer and establishing inter-rater reliability.

There may be practical problems.
For example, there is a need for fewer, but shorter observation periods, because of the infants’ limited waking periods.

There is the problem of the context affecting behaviour, so research should take place in a natural setting to increase validity.
For example, in the child’s home.

Researchers should also take extra care in relation to ethics, so as to not affect the child/parent in any way.
Example

Answer 15

For example, protection from harm and confidentiality

Question 16

Proud father Abdul was talking to his friend, as they were both watching Abdul’s wife, Tasneem, interacting with their baby daughter, Aisha.

‘It’s amazing really,’ said Abdul. ‘Tasneem smiles, Aisha smiles back. Tasneem moves her head, Aisha moves hers, perfectly in time with each other.’

‘Yes,’ agreed the friend. ‘It’s almost as if they are one person.’

With reference to Abdul’s conversation with his friend, outline two features of caregiver-infant interaction (4 marks)

Answer 16

One feature is interactional synchrony, how adults and babies respond in time to sustain communication

Question 17

Proud father Abdul was talking to his friend, as they were both watching Abdul’s wife, Tasneem, interacting with their baby daughter, Aisha.

‘It’s amazing really,’ said Abdul. ‘Tasneem smiles, Aisha smiles back. Tasneem moves her head, Aisha moves hers, perfectly in time with each other.’

‘Yes,’ agreed the friend. ‘It’s almost as if they are one person.’

With reference to Abdul’s conversation with his friend, outline two features of caregiver-infant interaction (4 marks).
One feature is interactional synchrony, how adults and babies respond in time to sustain communication.
What is this shown by?

Answer 17

This is shown by ‘as if they are one person’

Question 18

Proud father Abdul was talking to his friend, as they were both watching Abdul’s wife, Tasneem, interacting with their baby daughter, Aisha.

‘It’s amazing really,’ said Abdul. ‘Tasneem smiles, Aisha smiles back. Tasneem moves her head, Aisha moves hers, perfectly in time with each other.’

‘Yes,’ agreed the friend. ‘It’s almost as if they are one person.’

With reference to Abdul’s conversation with his friend, outline two features of caregiver-infant interaction (4 marks).
One feature is interactional synchrony, how adults and babies respond in time to sustain communication.
This is shown by ‘as if they are one person.’

Another feature

Answer 18

Another feature is reciprocity, how interaction flows both ways between adult and infant

Question 19

Proud father Abdul was talking to his friend, as they were both watching Abdul’s wife, Tasneem, interacting with their baby daughter, Aisha.

‘It’s amazing really,’ said Abdul. ‘Tasneem smiles, Aisha smiles back. Tasneem moves her head, Aisha moves hers, perfectly in time with each other.’

‘Yes,’ agreed the friend. ‘It’s almost as if they are one person.’

With reference to Abdul’s conversation with his friend, outline two features of caregiver-infant interaction (4 marks).
One feature is interactional synchrony, how adults and babies respond in time to sustain communication.
This is shown by ‘as if they are one person.’

Another feature is reciprocity, how interaction flows both ways between adult and infant.
What is this shown by?

Answer 19

This is shown by ‘Tasneem smiles, Aisha smiles back’

Question 20

Outline research into caregiver-infant interactions (4 marks)

Answer 20

Meltzoff and Moore (1977) conducted the first systematic study of interactional synchrony

Question 21

Outline research into caregiver-infant interactions (4 marks).
Meltzoff and Moore (1977) conducted the first systematic study of interactional synchrony.
What did an adult model do?

Answer 21

An adult model displayed one of 3 facial expressions or hand movements

Question 22

Outline research into caregiver-infant interactions (4 marks).
Meltzoff and Moore (1977) conducted the first systematic study of interactional synchrony.
An adult model displayed one of 3 facial expressions or hand movements.
What was placed in the infants’ mouth during the initial display?

Answer 22

A dummy was placed in the infants’ mouth during the initial display

Question 23

Outline research into caregiver-infant interactions (4 marks).
Meltzoff and Moore (1977) conducted the first systematic study of interactional synchrony.
An adult model displayed one of 3 facial expressions or hand movements.
A dummy was placed in the infants’ mouth during the initial display why?

Answer 23

A dummy was placed in the infants’ mouth during the initial display to prevent any response

Question 24

Outline research into caregiver-infant interactions (4 marks).
Meltzoff and Moore (1977) conducted the first systematic study of interactional synchrony.
An adult model displayed one of 3 facial expressions or hand movements.
A dummy was placed in the infants’ mouth during the initial display to prevent any response.
What happened, following the display?

Answer 24

Following the display, the dummy was removed and the child’s expression was filmed

Question 25

Outline research into caregiver-infant interactions (4 marks).
Meltzoff and Moore (1977) conducted the first systematic study of interactional synchrony.
An adult model displayed one of 3 facial expressions or hand movements.
A dummy was placed in the infants’ mouth during the initial display to prevent any response.
Following the display, the dummy was removed and the child’s expression was filmed.
What did they find?

Answer 25

They found that infants as young as 2 to 3 weeks old imitated specific facial and hand gestures

Question 26

Outline research into caregiver-infant interactions (4 marks).
Meltzoff and Moore (1977) conducted the first systematic study of interactional synchrony.
An adult model displayed one of 3 facial expressions or hand movements.
A dummy was placed in the infants’ mouth during the initial display to prevent any response.
Following the display, the dummy was removed and the child’s expression was filmed.
They found that infants as young as 2 to 3 weeks old imitated specific facial and hand gestures.

Evaluate the way of investigating caregiver-infant interaction that you have described in your answer above (4 marks)

Answer 26

It is difficult to know what the babies in Meltzoff and Moore’s study mean by these interactions

Question 27

Outline research into caregiver-infant interactions (4 marks).
Meltzoff and Moore (1977) conducted the first systematic study of interactional synchrony.
An adult model displayed one of 3 facial expressions or hand movements.
A dummy was placed in the infants’ mouth during the initial display to prevent any response.
Following the display, the dummy was removed and the child’s expression was filmed.
They found that infants as young as 2 to 3 weeks old imitated specific facial and hand gestures.

Evaluate the way of investigating caregiver-infant interaction that you have described in your answer above (4 marks).
It is difficult to know what the babies in Meltzoff and Moore’s study mean by these interactions.
Example

Answer 27

For example, you might observe changes in expression or hand movements, but it is difficult to know if this imitation of adult signals is deliberate or not

Question 28

Outline research into caregiver-infant interactions (4 marks).
Meltzoff and Moore (1977) conducted the first systematic study of interactional synchrony.
An adult model displayed one of 3 facial expressions or hand movements.
A dummy was placed in the infants’ mouth during the initial display to prevent any response.
Following the display, the dummy was removed and the child’s expression was filmed.
They found that infants as young as 2 to 3 weeks old imitated specific facial and hand gestures.

Evaluate the way of investigating caregiver-infant interaction that you have described in your answer above (4 marks).
It is difficult to know what the babies in Meltzoff and Moore’s study mean by these interactions.
For example, you might observe changes in expression or hand movements, but it is difficult to know if this imitation of adult signals is deliberate or not, why?

Answer 28

For example, you might observe changes in expression or hand movements, but it is difficult to know if this imitation of adult signals is deliberate or not, because infants are constantly moving

Question 29

Outline research into caregiver-infant interactions (4 marks).
Meltzoff and Moore (1977) conducted the first systematic study of interactional synchrony.
An adult model displayed one of 3 facial expressions or hand movements.
A dummy was placed in the infants’ mouth during the initial display to prevent any response.
Following the display, the dummy was removed and the child’s expression was filmed.
They found that infants as young as 2 to 3 weeks old imitated specific facial and hand gestures.

Evaluate the way of investigating caregiver-infant interaction that you have described in your answer above (4 marks).
It is difficult to know what the babies in Meltzoff and Moore’s study mean by these interactions.
For example, you might observe changes in expression or hand movements, but it is difficult to know if this imitation of adult signals is deliberate or not, because infants are constantly moving.
Due to this, what?

Answer 29

Due to this, the internal validity of the data is poor

Question 30

Outline research into caregiver-infant interactions (4 marks).
Meltzoff and Moore (1977) conducted the first systematic study of interactional synchrony.
An adult model displayed one of 3 facial expressions or hand movements.
A dummy was placed in the infants’ mouth during the initial display to prevent any response.
Following the display, the dummy was removed and the child’s expression was filmed.
They found that infants as young as 2 to 3 weeks old imitated specific facial and hand gestures.

Evaluate the way of investigating caregiver-infant interaction that you have described in your answer above (4 marks).
It is difficult to know what the babies in Meltzoff and Moore’s study mean by these interactions.
For example, you might observe changes in expression or hand movements, but it is difficult to know if this imitation of adult signals is deliberate or not, because infants are constantly moving.
Due to this, the internal validity of the data is poor, due to what?

Answer 30

Due to this, the internal validity of the data is poor, due to the uncertainty of whether what is being recorded is actually interactional synchrony or just natural movement