Caregiver-infant Interactions Evaluation

Question 1

What is the main problems with testing infant behaviour?

Answer 1

The observations in studies on interactions (e.g Gratier 2003) is merely based on hand movement or general changes in expression. This makes it difficult to distinguish between general activity and specific imitated behaviours. How can we be certain that behaviour seen in caregiver-infant interactions as a special meaning?

Question 2

How is replication a problem with caregiver-infant interaction studies?

Answer 2

. Koepke et al (1983) failed to replicate Meltzoff and Moore’s findings
. Marian et al (1996) replicated Murray and Trevarthen study found infants couldn’t distinguish live from videotaped interactions, suggesting they aren’t actually responding to the caregiver specifically

Question 3

What is the problem with the criticism that there has been a failure to replicate caregiver-infant interaction studies?

Answer 3

Meltzoff and Moore argued Koepke et al. failed to replicate their study as it was less carefully controlled, suggesting it may have been differences in methodology that accounted for the failure to replicate

Question 4

How is the idea of caregiver-interactions being intentional to a specific caregiver supported?

Answer 4

Abravanel and DeYoung observed infant behaviour when ‘interacting’ with two objects, simulating facial expressions such as tongue movements. The infants of median age 5-12 weeks made little response to the objects, showing infants have a specific social response to caregivers only

Question 5

How are the individual differences highlighted in studies on interactional synchrony?

Answer 5

Isabella et al (1989) assessed 30 mothers and infants and found that high levels of interactional synchrony was associated with better quality mother-infant attachment

This shows individual differences in attachment affect quality of IS, but we don’t know the cause of these differences?

Question 6

How is the value of all this research a massive strength?

Answer 6

It forms the basis for social development. The research into interactions explains how children begin to understand what others think and feel, allowing them to conduct relationships

Question 7

What was in Meltzoff’s ‘like me’ hypothesis based on his research on IS and why is it important?

Answer 7

1. Connection between what infant sees and their imitation of this
2. Infants associate their own acts and their own mental states
3. Infants project their own internal experiences onto others performing similar acts

Infants begin to understand what others are thinking and feeling based off interactions, fundamental for social relationships

Question 8

How are the research methods used in these studies a strength?

Answer 8

The research is generally well-controlled observations, ensuring very fine details can be recorded

Question 9

How does this research beat the main problem with observational research?

Answer 9

Babies don’t know or care they are being observed so their behaviour doesn’t change in response to the controlled observation (no demand characteristics) = good validity

Question 10

What is the mnemonic to remember these evaluation points?

Answer 10

V-alum
I-ntentionality support
C-ontrolled
R-eplication problems
I-ndividual differences
M-eaning disputed