ao3

• strength - filmed observations

  use of filmed observations

  mother-baby interactions are usually filmed from multiple angles as very fine details of behaviour can be recorded and analysed later

  Also, the babies don't know that they are being observed, so their behaviour does not change in response to observation

  this means that the studies have good reliability and validity
• limitation - difficulty in observing babies

  it is hard to observe babies' behaviour because they are not very co-ordinated. we just observe small gestures and changes in expression.

  it is hard to interpret the meaning of babies movements

  this means that we cannot be certain that any interactions observed between baby and caregiver are meaningful
• limitation - difficulty inferring development importance

  Feldman points out that synchrony simply describe behaviours that occur at the same time

  these are robust phenomena in the sense that they can be reliable observed, but this may not be useful as it does not tell us their purpose

  this means that we cannot be certain from observations that reciprocity or synchrony are important in development
• strength - evidence

  Isabella et al suggest that good levels of reciprocity and synchrony are associated with good quality attachments.

  this means that on balance, these early interactions are likely to have importance for development
• limitation - practical value v ethics

  the research can have negative social consequences.

  research into early interactions has allowed psychologists to improve the quality of caregiver-infant attachment, e.g parent child interaction therapy

  However, this kind of research is socially sensitive, it can be used to argue that mothers should focus on just interacting with their baby and not return to work

  this means that practical value may be outweighed by its social negative consequences