CAREGIVER-INFANT INTERACTIONS

• Reciprocity definition 


  When each person responds and elicits a reaction from the other
• Reciprocity example


  A caregiver may respond to their baby's smile by saying something which in turn elicits a response from the baby.
• Alert phases - babies have periodic alert phases where they are ready for interactions.

  It has been found that mothers pick up on these around 2/3 of the time, although it depends on the mothers skill and external factors e.g. stress
• Interactional synchrony


  This is where two people perform the same action at the same time when the caregiver and baby interact in a way where their actions and emotions mirror each other.
• MELTZOFF AND MOORE


  Observed the beginning of interactional synchrony at 2 weeks old. An adult displayed one of three facial expressions or distinctive gestures. Babies expression and gestures were more likely to mirror those of the adults.
• ISABELLA ET AL


  Observed 30 mothers and babies together and found that higher levels of interactional synchrony were associated with better mother-baby attachments.
• Strength (1) - filmed observations


  • usually filmed in a laboratory - external variables controlled
  • can be analysed later with more observers (inter rater reliability) - no missed behaviours
  • babies cannot change their behaviour as they are unaware of cameras
  • good reliability and validity
• Limitation (1) - difficulty observing babies


  • babies often lack coordination and may be immobile
  • cannot be certain of the meaning behind a movement
• Limitation (2) - developmental importance


  • observing a behaviour does not tell us its developmental importance
  • FELDMAN points out that we are just giving names to behaviours not the purpose
  • cannot be certain from observation alone how important reciprocity and interactional synchrony are for development.