An interaction is said to show reciprocity when each person responds to the other and elicits a response from them
What are Alert Phases?
Babies have alert phases in which they signal that they are ready for a spell of interaction
From 3 months this interaction becomes more frequent and involves both mother and baby paying close attention to verbal signs and facial expressions
What is active involvement?
Both caregiver and infant can initiate interactions and they appear to take turns in doing so
What is interactional synchrony?
Coordinated and mirroring behaviors between individuals during social interactions.
How did Meltzoff and Moore investigate interactional synchrony?
Observed the beginning of interactionalsynchrony in babies as young as two weeks old. Adults displayed one of threefacial expressions or gestures and filmed the babies response
What were Meltzoff and Moores results?
An association was found between the expression or gesture and the action of the baby
Why is interactional synchrony important?
Isabella et al observed 30 mothers and babies together and found high levels of synchrony creates higher quality attachment. Provides the necessary foundation for the mother and baby connection which can be built upon
