Difficulties in researching caregiver-infant interactions

• Give (briefly) some of the difficulties in investigating caregiver-infant interactions?

  • presence of researchers - influence, stranger anxiety
  • self -report techniques - honesty? social desirability bias
  • observations time consuming ''long'' observations
  • observations- single observer?
• how might researchers address the difficulties in investigating caregiver-infant interactions?

  • add a second observer. good training - coding system
  • covert observation. eg cameras filming. reduces stranger anxiety
  • to stop social desirability- offer complete anonymity and confidentiality
• What is a STRENGTH in using observations as a method of researching attachments?

  controlled procedures, filmed from multiple angles, babies do not realise they are being filmed
• give more strengths in using observations as a method of researching attachment?

  Can be analysed at a later date to check the accuracy of recordings

  (all strengths of observation help the VALIDITY OF THE RESEARCH)
• Briefly state 3 limitations in using observations as a method of researching attachment?

  • subjective
  • lack accuracy and therefore validity
  • unreliable
• explaing being subjective as a limitation of using observations as a method of researching attachment?

  Can be subjective due to a lack of verbal ability in children. Assumptions/inferences are relied upon. Was the infants action deliberate?

  • Research therefore may LACK ACCURARY and therefore VALIDITY
• explain being unreliable as a weakness of using observations as a method of researching attachment?

  can be unreliable if only one observer
• where are observations often?

  often in a lab and recorded
• what can interviews help with?

  interviews for mother and sometmes infants to complete to help DESCRIBE their attachment with infant
• give a strength of using interviews as a method of researching attachment?

  can use open ended questions to gain RICH , IN DEPTH detailed information = increasing validity
• briefly state 3 limitations of using interviews as a method of researching attachment?

  • social desirability + interviewer bias
  • inaccurate responses
  • small sample size
• explain social desirability and interviewer bias as a limitation of using interviews as a method of researching attachment?

  social desirability and interviewer bias- inaccurate thus NOT internally valid
• explain inaccurate responses as a limitation of using interviews as a method of researching attachment?

  inaccurate responses given- could be as cannot recall the info needed. REDUCES VALIDITY
• Explain small sample sizes as a limitation of using interviews as a method of researching attachment?

  USUALLY a smaller sample size which reduces RELIABILITY
• who are questionnaires for?

  for mother and sometimes infant
• why are questionnaires used?

  to complete to help describe their attachment with infant
• give the strenght of using questionaires ?

  economical

  large sample size

  easy

  can use open and closed questionnaires
• give weakness of using questionnaires?

  social desirability bias- inaccurate THUS NOT VALID
• Give 2 other possible limitations with attachment research?

  • ethical issues
  • practical issues
  • socially sensitive
• explain ethical issues as a other limitation with attachment research?

  parental consent needed , children will not exercise RIGHT TO WITHDRAW and need to be closely monitored for distress, confidentiality, privacy may be raised
• explain practical issues as a other limitation with attachment research?

  babies often ASLEEP or BEING FED
• why is attachment research often socially sensitive?

  because it has implications for the wider public

  eg working mothers feeling they cannot go back to work because of the importance of what research says about the attachment bond