Caregiver-infant interactions Flashcards
What is Reciprocity?
When each person responds to another and elicits a response from them. For example, a baby’s smile may elicit a verbal response from the parent which elicits a response from the baby.
What is an Alert Phase?
Babies have periodic ‘alert phases’ in which they signal that they are ready for a spell of interaction. Feldman and Eidelmann said that mothers typically pick up on the baby’s alertness 2/3rds of the time. From around 3 months the interaction becomes increasingly frequent and involves both mother and baby paying close attention to one another verbal signals (Feldman)
What is Active Involvement?
Babies a well as caregivers take an active role in initiating interactions, taking turns to do so. Brazelton (1975) described it as a dance wherein each partner responds to the others moves.
What is Interactional Synchrony?
The temporal co-ordination of micro-level social behaviour. It takes place when caregiver and baby interact in such a way that their actions and emotions mirror the other.
When does Synchrony begin?
Meltzoff and Moore observed the beginnings of interactional synchrony in babies 2 weeks old. An adult displayed one of 3 facial expressions or distinctive gestures and the baby’s response was filmed and labelled by independent observers/
What is the importance for attachment?
It is important for the development of caregiver-infant attachment. Isabella (1989) observed 30 mothers and babies and assessed the degree of synchrony and quality of mother-baby attachment. It was found that a high degree of synchrony correlated with a high quality of attachment
What is the Filmed Importance strength for this theory?
Often filmed in a laboratory so other activity can be controlled, and it can be recorded and analysed layer. Therefore it is unlikely that researchers will miss key behaviours. Easy to establish inter-rater reliability. Babies don’t know they are being observed - validity. Overall, data collected in such research should have good reliability and validity
What is the limitation - Difficulty observing babies
It is hard to interpret a baby’s behaviour. They lack basic co-ordination and are largely immobile. The movements being observed are small hand movements or changes in expression. We do not know whether or not that is random or in response to the caregiver. This means we cannot be certain that behaviours seen during the interactions have a special meaning.
What is the limitation - Developmental importance
Simply observing a behaviour does not tell us how important it is to development. Feldman points out that ideas like synchrony and reciprocity simply give names to patterns of observable behaviour. They can be observed, but are not useful in understanding child development as it doesn’t tell us the purpose of the behaviours.
