Caregiver-infant Interactions

Caregiver-infant Interactions

1. Attachment

   • An emotional bond between two people that is a two way process (reciprocal) that endures over time

2. Reciprocity

   • Previously thought the infant was passive but actually interaction is two way between infant and caregiver
   • E.g. mum smiles and baby returns with a smile
   • Reciprocal means two-way - infant and caregiver are both active contributors in the interaction and are responding to each other

3. Interactional Synchrony

   • Infant and caregiver are in tune with one another, rhythmic interaction (turn taking)
   • Infant and caregiver coordinate their actions in a kind of conversation
   • Synchrony means simultaneous action or occurrence - relates to the timing and pattern of the interaction
     • Interaction is rhythmic and can include infant and caregiver mirroring each other's behaviour and emotion
     • Behaviours are synchronised because they are moving in the same, or a similar pattern

4. Meltzoff & Moore

   • Controlled observation (lab)
   • Selected four different stimuli (3 different faces and a hand gesture)
   • Observed the behaviour of infants in response to stimuli
   • Observer watched video tapes of the infant's behaviour - video was judged by independent observers who had no knowledge of what the infant had just seen
   • Observers had to note down if infants displayed any of four behaviours
     • Mouth opening
     • Termination of mouth opening
     • Tongue protrusion
     • Termination of tongue protrusion
   • Each observer scored the tapes twice to ensure intra and inter-observer reliability
   • Findings
     • Found an association between infants behaviour and that of an adult
     • Babies facial expression matched the adult
   • Conclusion
     • Reciprocity & Interactional Synchrony appear innate and are important for the foundation of relationships