The infant and caregiver are both active contributors in the interaction and are responding to each other, almost as if they were taking turns, as people do when they have a conversation
Murray and Trevarthen (1985)
studied two month old infants who interacted via a video monitor with their mother in real time - the image on screen was not responding to the infant’s facial and bodily gestures. The results were one of acute distress by the infant.
Interactional synchrony
relates to the timing and pattern of the interaction. The interaction is rhythmic and can include infant and caregiver mirroring each other’s behaviour and emotion
Meltzoff and Moore (1977)
An adult displayed one of three facial expressions (e.g. mouth opening) or one of three distinctive gestures (e.g. opening the hand). The child’s responses were filmed and identified by independent observers
Strength (caregiver-infant interactions)
Controlled observations capture fine detail - well-controlled procedures, with both caregiver and infant being filmed, often from multiple angles.
Limitation (caregiver-infant interactions)
Problems with testing infants behaviour - difficult to distinguish between general activity and specific imitated behaviour
