Key Study: Interactional Synchrony of Facial and Manual Gestures by Human Neonates - Meltzoff and Moore (1997) Flashcards
What is the aim of this case study?
To investigate how early infants are able to to mirror adults.
What is the method of this case study?
Six infants between the ages of 12 and 21 days of age were each shown three facial gestures (e.g., smiling) and one manual gesture (e.g., raising hand), sequentially. Their responses were videotaped and scored by observers who did not know which gesture the infants had seen the adult do.
What are the findings of this case study?
The results showed that infants of this young age were able to mirror all four gestures.
What is the conclusion of this case study?
This suggests that synchronised behaviours are innate.
(+) Interactional synchrony is supported by research
P: A strength of interactional synchrony is that is it supported by research.
E: Meltzoff and Moore (1977) observed the beginnings of interactional synchrony in babies as young as 12 days old. An adult displayed 1 of 3 facial expressions of 1 of 3 distinctive manual gestures. The babies’ responses were filmed and labelled by independent observers. They found that babies’ expressions and gestures were more likely to mirror those of the adults more than chance would predict i.e., there was a significant association.
E: This is a strength of interactional synchrony because the research suggests that infants’ ability to mirror these gestures to communicate with caregivers is innate.
L: This suggests that the theory of interactional synchrony has validity.
