caregiver-infant interactions Flashcards
strength of research on caregiver-infant interactions - filmed observations
-caregiver infant interactions are usually filmed in a laboratory
-this means that other activity, that might distract a baby, can be controlled. also, using films means that observations can be recorded and analysed later. therefore, it is unlikely researchers will miss seeing behaviours. furthermore having filmed interactions means that more than one observer can record data and establish inter-rater reliability of observations. finally, babies don’t know that are being observed, so their behaviour does not change in response to observation –> data collected in such research should have good reliability and validity
limitation of of research on caregiver-infant interactions - difficulty observing babies
-hard to interpret a baby’s behaviour
-young babies lack co-ordination and much of their bodies are almost immobile. the movements being observed are just small hand movements and subtle changes in expression. it is difficult to be sure if a baby is smiling or just passing wind for example. it is also difficult to determine what is taking place from the baby’s perspective. for example, we cannot know whether a movement such as a hand twitch is random or triggered by something the caregiver has done –> means we cannot be certain the behaviours seen in caregiver-infant interaction have a special meaning
limitation of research on caregiver-infant interactions - developmental importance
-simply observing a behaviour does not tell us its developmental importance
-Feldman 2012 points out ideas like synchrony (and implication reciprocity) simply give names to patterns of observable caregiver and baby behaviours. these are robust phenomena in the sense that they can be reliably observed, but they still mat bot be particularly useful in understanding child development as it does not tell us the purpose if these behaviours –> means we cannot be certain form observational research alone that reciprocity and synchrony are important for a child’s development
strength of research on caregiver-infant interactions - counterpoint to developmental importance
-evidence from other lines of research to suggest that early interactions are important. for example, Isabella et al 1989 found that achievement of interactional synchrony predicted the development of a good quality attachment –> means on balance, caregiver infant interaction is probably important on development
evaluation of research on caregiver-infant interactions - practical value vs ethics
-research into early caregiver-infant interaction has practical applications in parenting skills training. for example, Crotwell et al 2013 found that a 10-minute parent-child interaction therapy improved interactional synchrony in 20 low income mothers and their pre-school children
-on the other hand research into caregiver-infant interaction is socially sensitive because it can be used to argue that when a mother returns to work soon after having a baby this may risk damaging a baby’s development
reciprocity definition
a description of how 2 people interact. caregiver-infant interaction is reciprocal in that bother caregiver and baby respond to each other’s signals and each elicits a response from the other
interactional synchrony definition
caregiver and baby reflects both the actions and emotions of the other and do this in a co-ordinated (synchronised) way
what is attachment
an attachment can be defined as a close 2-way emotional bond between two individuals in which each individual sees the other as essential for their own emotional security
how is an attachment in humans shown after it has taken a few months to develop
-proximity –> people try to stay physically close to their attachment figure
-separation distress–> people show signs of anxiety when an attachment figure leaves their presence
-secure-base behaviour –> even when we are independent of our attachment figures we tend to make regular contact with them. babies display secure-base behvaiour when they regularly return to their attachment figure while playing
what do psychologists think meaningful interactions with babies and caregivers cause
important functions for the child’s social development. in particular good quality social interactions are associated with the successful development of attachments between babies and caregivers
what is reciprocity
each person rescinds to the other and elicits as response
reciprocity- what do baby and caregiver do form birth
spend a lot of time in intense and highly pleasurable interaction
reciprocity- example of reciprocity
a caregiver might respond to his baby’s simile by saying something and then in turn this elicits a response from the baby
reciprocity- what is this kind of reciprocal interaction called
turn-taking. it is an essential part of any conversation, otherwise people talk over each other
reciprocity- what are alert phases
periodic alert phases in which they signal ( such as making eye contact) that they are ready for a spell of interaction
