Doucet Et Al Study (bio)

Question 1

Doucet Et Al Study (bio)

Aim

Answer 1

To determine whether the secretion from areolar glands elicits a response in infants

Question 2

Doucet Et Al Study (bio)

Procedure

Answer 2

• 22 newborns (avg age - 74 hours) participated (some exclusively breastfed, some bottle fed)
• Exposed to eight different stimuli in random order while sleeping, reactions were recorded
  
  • Stimuli: secretions of areolar glands, sebum (oils from human skin), human milk, cow milk, formula milk, vanilla, familiar milk, non-familiar milk
• Physiological data recorded along with facial reaction when presented on glass rod

Question 3

Doucet Et Al Study (bio)

Findings

Answer 3

• Infants reacted the longest to secretions of areolar glands (Behaviourally: Pursed lips, tongue protrusion, intake of breath and physiologically)
• Same reaction also seen in infants who had not been breastfed
• Supports existence of human pheromones
  
  • especially reaction of infants that had never been breastfeeded

Question 4

Doucet Et Al Study (bio)

Strengths

Answer 4

• Data triangulation
  
  • Supported by existence of pheromones for feeding in other mammals
• Double-blind procedure
  
  • Researchers did not know which stimuli they were exposing the infant to

Question 5

Doucet Et Al Study (bio)

Limitations

Answer 5

• difficult to determine causation
• reductionist approach

Question 6

Doucet Et Al Study (bio)

Ethical Considerations

Answer 6

• Informed consent: Parent consented on behalf of infant
• Protection from harm: Parent was present while infant was participating
  Infants with “unstable reactions” were withdrawn

Question 7

Doucet Et Al Study (bio)

Research Method

Answer 7

Experiment