3.1: Caregiver-infant interactions in humans

Question 1

What is meant by ‘reciprocity’ in the context of caregiver-infant interaction? (2 marks)

Answer 1

‘Reciprocity’ in the context of caregiver-infant interaction is that caregiver-infant interaction is a two-way process.
Each party responds to the other’s signals to sustain interaction (turn-taking).
The behaviour of each party elicits a response from the other

Question 2

Some researchers believe that caregiver–infant interactions influence the development of attachment.
Explain one reason why it is difficult to draw conclusions about the role of caregiver–infant interactions in the development of attachment (2 marks)

Answer 2

One reason why it is difficult to draw conclusions about the role of caregiver–infant interactions in the development of attachment is because we cannot ever show cause and effect, because it is ethically impossible to manipulate the amount or quality of caregiver-infant interaction