Caregiver-infant interactions

Question 1

What is reciprocity?

Answer 1

Caregiver-infant interaction is reciprocal, ie., each person’s interactions affect the other

Question 2

What are alert phases?

Answer 2

From birth, babies signal when they are ready to interact - e.g. eye contact

Question 3

What is interactional synchrony?

Answer 3

Caregiver and infant signals synchronised, i.e. they occur together

Question 4

What are the benefits of observing caregiver-infant interactions?

Answer 4

No demand characteristics as babies are unaware, behaviours are observable, its controlled, can be watch repeatedly (less chance of missing anything), can asses reliability (inter-observer and intra-observer) and practical applications e.g. parenting skills training

Question 5

What are the limitations of observing caregiver-infant interactions?

Answer 5

Observations are subjective, no consent given, can’t draw conclusions about how interactions affect development (interactions are snapshots of behaviour), possible demand characteristics from caregiver and research is socially sensitive (puts pressure on caregiver to prioritise childcare)

Question 6

What did Meltzoof and Moor investigate?

Answer 6

The beginnings of interactional synchrony in babies as young as 2 weeks

Question 7

What was Meltzoff and Moore’s procedure?

Answer 7

A adult displayed one of three facial expressions, or one of three distinctive gestures and the babies response was filmed and labelled by independent observers

Question 8

What were Meltzoff and Moore’s findings?

Answer 8

Babies’ expression and gesture were more likely to mirror those of the adults more than chance would predict

Question 9

What is a limitation of Meltzoff and Moore’s findings?

Answer 9

This is said to be interactional synchrony but is argued to be reciprocity whereas its actually mimicry