Meltzoff and Moore

• What was the aim of the Meltzoff and Moore investigation?

  To investigate reciprocity between infants and caregivers
• How was the Meltzoff and Moore investigation carried out?

  Controlled observations using 18 babies (age 12 to 27 days old). They were exposed to 3 facial gestures (sticking tongue out, open mouth, pursed lips).
• How were the results of the Meltzoff and Moore investigation recorded?

  • The babies responses to the gestures were video recorded
  • Independent observers scored the behaviours based on pre-defined behaviour categories
  • Each tape was scored by 2 observers
• What were the findings of the Meltzoff and Moore investigation?

  Results indicated that babies aged 12-27 days old could imitate the gestures.
• What was the conclusion of the Meltzoff and Moore investigation?

  The ability to reciprocate a caregivers actions by mimicking their behaviour is either innate or is acquired very early in life
• What is the cause and effect evaluation of the Meltzoff & Moore investigation?

  P= Established cause and effect

  E= Was a controlled & scientific investigation so babies facial expressions likely to only be influenced by caregiver modelling it

  E= Strength as makes results more valid, also reduced effects of possible extraneous variables
• What is the inter-observer reliability evaluation of Meltzoff & Moore investigation?

  P= Inter-observer reliability established

  E = 2 observers independently viewed caregiver-infant interaction & scored it based on how accurately infant imitated facial expression modelled

  E = Strength as makes results more reliable
• What is the questionable reciprocity evaluation of the Meltzoff & Moore investigation?

  P= Infants reciprocate actions but why?

  E = Adult models behaviour & infant imitates. Can be reliably observed but doesn't tell us purpose of these behaviours.

  E= Therefore can't know from observational research alone that reciprocity is important for a child's development
• What is the difficulty observing infants evaluation of the Meltzoff & Moore investigation?

  P = Difficult to observe infants

  E = Appeared to be imitating facial expressions but infants lack co-ordination & are mostly immobile.

  E = Therefore cannot be certain observed behaviour is result of imitation or has any particularly important reason