caregiver-infant interactions

Question 1

define attachment

Answer 1

a strong emotional bond between two people

Question 2

define reciprocity

Answer 2

•two way mutual interaction
•turn taking
•sensitivity to infant behaviour lays foundation for later attachment

Question 3

research into reciprocity
Murray and trevarthen

Answer 3

• studied 2 month olds- interacted via video monitor with mother
• watched recording of mother not responding
• found when gaining no response - gave up and turned away
• concluded infant’s actively eliciting response from caregiver

Question 4

define international synchrony

Answer 4

• behaviour and emotions mirror each other
• high levels are associated with better quality attachment
• innate rather than learned

Question 5

research into international synchrony
Meltzoff and Moore

Answer 5

•adult displayed one of 3 facial expressions and distinctive gestures
• child’s response filmed
• found association between infant behaviour and adult
• baby’s ability to mirror caregiver is innate

Question 6

Eval- controlled observations capture fine detail :)

Answer 6

methodology - both being filmed ensure fine details can be recorded and later analysed
babies don’t know being observed - doesn’t change
has good internal validity

Question 7

Eval - problems with testing infant behaviour :(

Answer 7

difficult to reliably test infant behaviour
constant motions- distinguish between general activity and specific imitated behaviour
filmed and asked independent observer to judge
increased internal validity

Question 8

Eval - practical application

Answer 8

benefits society
10 minute parent-child interaction therapy improved interactions synchrony
mothers used more child directed techniques and children were coded as offering mothers toys more frequently
lead to valuable methods to improve mother-infant attachments