Caregiver/infant interaction

• Meltzoff and Moore (1977/1983)

  observational, videotapes and watched frame by frame. Demonstrated: similar actions to those displayed by models (mouth open, closed, tongue out, in)

   
• Interactional Synchrony

  imitate - mirroring of facial expressions/movements during communication e.g. turning head to one side and infant copying.
• Reciprocity (Jaffe et al 1973)

  response - turn taking behaviour e.g. caregiver smiles, infant laughs.
• High inter-observer reliability and replicability (later study by M&M)
• Murray and Travarthen 1985

  interacted over videotape. When no response babies got distressed. Supports the idea of trying to elicit a response.
• Problems with testing infant behaviour - is behaviour intentional? (DeYoung 1991)
• Failure to replicate

  In replica studies of Meltzoff and Moore, similar results were not achieved.