Reciprocity and interactional synchrony

Question 1

what is attachment?

Answer 1

a strong reciprocal emotional bond between an infant and a primary caregiver
- in which each seeks closeness and feels more secure when in the presence of the attachment figure

Question 2

AO1 what is reciprocity?

Answer 2

• reciprocal means two way and something that is mutual therefore they must both be able to contribute to the relationship and generate a response
• both active contributors
• e.g. smiling

Question 3

AO3 reciprocity

Answer 3

• reciprocity influences the child’s physical, social and cognitive development
• becomes the basis for development of basic trust or mistrust and learn to form relationships throughout life
• jaffe et al = from birth babies move in a rhythm when interacting with an adult almost as if they were taking turns

Question 4

AO1 - what is interactional synchrony

Answer 4

When 2 people interact and tend to mirror what the other is doing in term of their facial and body movements

Question 5

AO3 interactional synchrony heimann

Answer 5

Showed that infants who demonstrated a lot of limitation from burth onwards have been found to have a better quality of relationships at 3 months

Question 6

Strength and weakness of heimann study

Answer 6

+ babies don’t know or care that they are being observed
/ behaviour doesnt change
/ no demand characteristics
/ good validity

• don’t know if the actions are meaningful or not
  / only the hand movements or changes in expression
  / difficult to make judgements

Question 7

advantages of brazleton et al

Answer 7

• controlled observations
  filmed the interaction from different angles = a high level of detail and accuracy
• allows valid conclusions = reliable
• independent observers can watch the tapes and compare the findings