Reciprocity and Interactional Synchrony Flashcards
Seeking proximity
Wanting to be near each other.
Distress if separated
Both the infant and caregiver feel distressed when separated.
Secure base behaviour
Pleasure when reunited: both are happy to be reunited
General orientation: infant is generally aware of the caregiver and frequently makes contact.
Observational research of infants
Meltzoff and Moore conducted a study and they noted instances of certain behaviours.
Babies will initiate certain behaviours e.g: tongue protrusion and mouth opening.
Reciprocity
One person responds to the other.
Turn taking.
Both mother and babies can initiate interactions and they appear to take turns in doing so.
Newborn babies and alert phases
Babies have periodic ‘alert phrases’ and signal they are ready for interaction, which mothers respond to around 2/3 of the time.
Interactional synchrony
Mirroring. ‘Synchronised’ when they carry out the same action simultaneously.
‘The coordination of micro-level behaviour’.
Their actions and emotions mirror each other.
Meltzoff and Moore (1977)
Observed the beginnings of interactional synchrony in infants as young as two weeks old.
An adult displayed one of three facial expressions or one of three distinct gestures and the child’s response was filmed.
An association was found between the expression/gesture and the action of the child.
Higher synchrony
= Higher quality attachment
Important for the development of the attachment.
Provides the necessary foundation for the mother and infant connections.
Isabella et al (1989)
Observed 20 mothers and infants together and assessed the degree of synchrony and the quality of mother-infant attachment.
The researchers found that high levels of synchrony were associated with better quality mother-infant attachment, e.g. the emotional intensity of the relationship.
Evaluation of caregiver-infant interactions: POSITIVES
Uses well-controlled procedures.
Very fine details of behaviour can be recorded and analysed later bc it’s filmed.
Babies don’t know they’re being observed = no desirability effect
Good validity
Evaluation of caregiver-infant interactions: NEGATIVES
Hard to know what is happening when observing infants. Many studies into mother-infant interactions have shown the same patterns of behaviour. (Gratier, 2003)
Hard to see things from the baby’s perspective. Is it deliberate?
Evaluation of caregiver-infant interactions: ISSUE & DEBATE
SOCIAL SENSITIVITY:
Suggests that children may be disadvantaged by particular child-rearing practices. Mothers who return to work shortly after a child is born restrict the opportunities for achieving interactional synchrony.
Suggests that mothers should not return to work so soon - socially sensitive implications.
NATURE V NURTURE
