caregiver-infant interaction

• Reciprocity is where the infant and caregiver both take turns in an interaction, so that they respond to each other’s actions.
• Interactional synchrony is when caregivers and infants perform similar actions in time with one another.
• Supporting evidence for caregiver-infant interactions. Condon and Sander 1974 analysed frame-by-frame video recordings and found reciprocity and interactional synchrony between caregivers and babies. This is positive as it suggests a strong attachment bond between caregivers and infants. However, a limitation of this research is that it is an observational study. This means that observer bias may have been present and not been objective
• Supporting evidence for caregiver-infant interactions. Isabella et al 1989 analysed frame-by-frame video recordings and found mothers and babies who showed more interactional synchrony and more reciprocity also had stronger attachment bonds. This is positive as their is evidence of a positive correlation between interactional synchrony and the strength of the attachment bond. However, a limitation of this study is that it is difficult to establish a cause and effect relationship between the caregiver-infant interaction and the strength of the attachment