Care-giver Infant Interactions A01&3

Question 1

Interactional synchrony

Answer 1

It takes place when mother and infant interact in such a way that their actions and emotions mirror the other
“The coordination of micro-level behaviour” Feldman 2007

Question 2

Reciprocity

Answer 2

When each person responds to the other and elicits a response from them, tends to be increasingly frequent from around 3 months
Brazleton described this interaction as a ‘dance’ just like a couples dance where each partner responds to the others move

Question 3

Meltzof and Moore - interactional synchrony at 2 weeks old

Answer 3

-Observed the beginnings of interactional synchrony (young as 2 weeks old)
-An adult displayed 1 of 3 facial expressions and the child’s response was filmed
-An association was found between the expression and the action of the child

Question 4

Isabella et al. (1989)

Answer 4

-Observed 20 mothers and infants together and assessed the degree of synchrony and the quality of mother-infant attachment
-the researchers found that high levels of synchrony were associated with better quality mother-infant attachment

Question 5

A limitation of mother-infant interactions

Answer 5

P-hard to know what’s happening when observing infants
E-Many studies into mother-infant interactions have shown the same patterns of behaviour which is merely hand movements or changes in expression
E-Difficult to be sure the infants imitation of adult signals are conscious and deliberate , based on these observations
L-we cannot be certain that behaviours seen in mother-infant interactions have a special meaning

Question 6

A strength of mother-infant interactions

Answer 6

P-it uses well controlled procedures
E-mother-infant interactions are usually filmed,very fine details of behaviour can be recorded and analysed later
E-babies don’t know they are being observed so their behaviour doesn’t change in response to observation
L-strength because it means the studies have good validity

Question 7

Strength

Answer 7

P- has potential value to society
E-Crotwell et al. found that a 10 minute parent child interaction therapy improved interactional synchrony in 20 low income mothers and their pre school infants compared to a control group
E- identification of interactional synchrony is an important foundation in the formation of high quality attachments could have practical applications
L-findings suggest research on interactional synchrony could lead to valuable methods for improving and developing mother infant attachments