Caregiver-Infant Interactions

• What is vital for the development of attachment in infants?

  Communication between the newborn and their mother.
• How do infants communicate with their caregivers?

  Infants communicate through non-verbal cues and signals.
• What is defined as attachment?

  Attachment is when two people develop long and lasting emotional bonds.
• What do both the infant and the caregiver seek in attachment?

  Both seek closeness and feel secure when together.
• What are the two key terms related to caregiver-infant interactions?

  Reciprocity and interactional synchrony.
• What is reciprocity in caregiver-infant interactions?

  Reciprocity is a mutual turn-taking form of interaction.
• How does interactional synchrony differ from reciprocity?

  Interactional synchrony is simultaneous and coordinated behavior.
• What might an infant do to show interactional synchrony?

  The infant may wave its hands in time with the adult's speech.
• What is sensitive responsiveness in caregiver-infant interactions?

  Sensitive responsiveness is when the caregiver pays attention and responds appropriately to the infant's communication.
• What is child-directed speech?

  Child-directed speech is a sing-song voice with variable tone used to keep the infant's attention.
• Why is bodily contact important for developing attachment?

  Bodily contact, including breastfeeding, is vital for developing attachment.
• What did midwives ensure after delivery to encourage bonding?

  Midwives ensure both parents experience skin-to-skin contact immediately after delivery.
• What evidence supports the idea that infants show reciprocity?

  Infants imitate adults' facial gestures within the first few weeks of life.
• What did Condon and Sander find regarding interactional synchrony?

  They found that infants move their bodies rhythmically in time with the adult's voice.
• What is a limitation of infant research regarding communication?

  Infants can't communicate their thoughts, leading to inferences about their mental states.
• Why is infant research considered socially sensitive?

  Findings can influence how parents perceive their caregiving abilities.
• What are the four stages of infant attachment identified by Schaffer?

  The four stages are asocial, indiscriminate attachment, specific attachment, and multiple attachment.
• What characterizes the asocial stage of attachment?

  In the asocial stage, infants show no preference for any individual and can be comforted by any caregiver.
• What happens during the indiscriminate attachment stage?

  Infants can differentiate between familiar and unfamiliar adults but do not show stranger anxiety.
• What is observed in the specific attachment stage?

  Infants form a strong connection to their primary caregiver and show separation anxiety.
• What occurs in the multiple attachment stage?

  Infants develop additional attachments to other caregivers and show less stranger anxiety.
• What did Schaffer find regarding the strongest attachments?

  Strongest attachments formed between infants and mothers who consistently interacted with them.
• What is a limitation of Schaffer's study regarding generalization?

  The sample of working-class mothers in Glasgow in the 60s lacks generalization to other cultures or time periods.
• What does the high level of mundane realism in Schaffer's study suggest?

  It suggests that the behaviors recorded were valid and reflective of typical family interactions.
• What percentage of infants had their mother as the primary attachment figure in Schaffer's study?

  65% of infants had their mother as the primary attachment figure.
• What role do fathers play in infant attachment according to Schaffer's study?

  Fathers initially play a less important role but can develop attachments over time.
• What did Field's research suggest about primary caregiver fathers?

  Primary caregiver fathers showed more sensitive responsive behavior than secondary caregiver fathers.
• What did Riso's research find regarding the role of fathers in socialization?

  Riso found that a strong attachment to the father was the best predictor of making friends in school.
• Why is research on the father's role considered socially sensitive?

  It can lead to feelings of inadequacy in single parents or male gay couples regarding their caregiving abilities.
• What economic implications could arise from recognizing the father's role in infant development?

  It could lead to legislation for equal maternity and paternity leave, affecting workforce dynamics.
• How might recognizing the father's role help reduce the gender pay gap?

  It could encourage shared caregiving responsibilities, allowing women to return to work sooner.
• What are the key concepts in the attachment unit?

  • Attachment: Long-lasting emotional bonds
  • Reciprocity: Mutual turn-taking interaction
  • Interactional synchrony: Simultaneous coordinated behavior
  • Sensitive responsiveness: Caregiver's appropriate response to infant communication
  • Child-directed speech: Sing-song voice to engage infants
• What are the four stages of attachment according to Schaffer?

  1. Asocial stage (birth to 6 weeks)
  2. Indiscriminate attachment (6 weeks to 7 months)
  3. Specific attachment (7 to 9 months)
  4. Multiple attachment (9 to 10 months)
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of Schaffer's study on attachment?

  Strengths:

  • Longitudinal study design
  • High mundane realism

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Limited generalizability
  • Lack of temporal validity
• What roles do fathers play in infant attachment?

  • Initially less important than mothers
  • Can develop strong attachments over time
  • Provide active play and socialization