Caregiver-infant interactions

Caregiver-infant interactions

1. Key Words

   • Interactional Synchrony
     • A' and I' respond in time with each other. e.g. if A' makes a soothing noise, the baby might rock/move in response to noise.
   • Reciprocity
     • (turn taking) interaction between both A' & I' is continuous. Back and forth interactions
   • Imitation
     • I' copying A's exact behaviour
   • Sensitive Responsiveness
     • A' pays attention to I' & responds to the I's communication in the proper manner (e.g. giving food)
   • Caregiverese
     • When A' modulates their voice, slowing it down, higher pitch, song-like. (BABY TALK)
   • Bodily Comfort
     • Skin to Skin contact = important for the development of attachment (bonding process) e.g. breastfeeding

2. Study

   • SCAFFER
     • I's 60 infants, age 5-23 weeks to 1 year old
     • Mothers visited every 4 weeks
     • A's asked to describe infants response to 7 different separation scenarios
       • intensity of tantrums + who directed at
     • Stranger anxiety tested when I's respond to interviewer
     • STAGES
       • Stage 1. Indiscriminate Attachment
       • Stage 2. Beginning of Attachments
       • Stage 3. Discriminate Attachment
       • Stage 4. Multiple Attachment