Caregiver-infant interactions

• What is attachment in the context of parent-child relationships?

  A reciprocal bond between two individuals
• Who usually forms the attachment bond with the child?

  The mother
• What does reciprocity in attachment refer to?

  Interactional exchanges between mothers and infants
• What do mothers and infants gain from their interactions?

  Pleasure, comfort, and security
• What is interactional synchrony?

  Carrying out the same actions at the same time
• How do mothers and infants demonstrate interactional synchrony?

  By mirroring each other's gestures or actions
• What has research shown about high levels of synchrony?

  They are linked with better quality attachment
• What is a limitation of studying interactions in attachment?

  Uncertainty if infants attach meaning to gestures
• How do well-controlled observations enhance research validity?

  They allow systematic study of behavior
• What are the key components of attachment theory?

  • Attachment is reciprocal
  • Reciprocity involves interactional exchanges
  • Interactional synchrony is mirroring actions
  • High synchrony correlates with better attachment quality
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of studying attachment interactions?

  Strengths:

  • Well-controlled observations enhance validity

  Weaknesses:

  • Uncertainty about infants' understanding of gestures