AO3 - Reciprocity & Interactional Synchrony

• A criticism of research into caregiver-infant interactions is that much of the research lacks ecological validity. This is because the research takes place in controlled environments, such as a controlled observation with the caregiver and infant being filmed. This makes it difficult to generalise the findings to real life cases of caregiver-infant interactions as the infant may not behave how they usually do in the real world, for example the infant might interact with the parent less due to feeling shy. Therefore lowering the external validity of research into caregiver-infant interactions.
• Moreover, because the research into caregiver-infant interactions takes place in controlled environments, this means that the research can be praised for having high control over extraneous variables. Using controlled methods means researchers can control for extraneous variables such as not having other adults in the room during observations of caregiver-infant interactions as it may distract the infant. Therefore cause and effect can be established in the interactions, increasing the internal validity of research into caregiver-infant interactions.
• However, critics argue that the research into caregiver-infant interactions can be prone to bias as infants cannot speak, inferences must be drawn about their behaviour. This means that a psychologist may interpret information in a way that fits their hypothesis, for example, an infant may have wind but the psychologist may infer that this is a smile in response to their parents smile. Therefore reducing the internal validity of research into caregiver-infant interactions.

  • this could be minimised by having two observers present to agree on the findings
• Despite there being some criticism of the research into caregiver-infant interactions, the research can be praised for its practical applications. Research has demonstrated how caregiver and infants interact and the importance of these interactions for development, for example, sharing ways in which the caregiver can play with the infant and interactions often take place. Therefore, psychologists can use this information to encourage responsive caregivers and minimise the issues that the child may have, concluding that caregiver-infant interactions are an important part of applied psychology.