Caregiver-infant interactions

Question 1

Describe reciprocity

Answer 1

Both mothers/ babies respond to each others signals, eliciting a response from the other

Question 2

Describe interactional synchrony

Answer 2

actions and emotions ‘mirror’ the other

Question 3

problem of observing infants

Answer 3

although infants have distinct patterns in behaviour it is hard to tell to what extent this behavior has any meaning

Question 4

what are two advantages when studying infants

Answer 4

1. fine detail can be recorded and analysed 2. babies do not know or care they are being recorded so behaviour does not change, this gives research good validity

Question 5

longitudinal study into the role of the father

Answer 5

Grossman (2002). found quality of infant attachment to mothers, but NOT fathers, was related to a child’s attachment in adolescence

Question 6

study into fathers as primary carers

Answer 6

Field (1978) filmed internations. found primary attachment figure fathers behaved the same as mothers, showing men can take on the role of primary attachment figures.