Caregiver infant interactions

Question 1

What is attachment(A01)

Answer 1

Social interactions between people(physical and emotional) that happen over a period of time leading to attachment

Question 2

What are the two types of caregiver infant interactions(A01)

Answer 2

Reciprocity and interactional synchrony

Question 3

What is reciprocity(A01)

Answer 3

Each person responds to the other and elicits a response from one another

Question 4

State 2 studies linked to reciprocity(A01)

Answer 4

Feldman and Eidelman - Babies have periodic alert phases signalling they are ready for interaction
Brazelton - Both mother and child can initiate interaction e.g. like a dance

Question 5

What is interactional synchrony(A01)

Answer 5

Mother and child interact in the same way physically and emotionally

Question 6

Explain Meltzoff and Moore’s study(A01)

Answer 6

Aim - To see the relationship between interactional synchrony and caregiver infant attachment
Procedure - Dummy is placed in the babies mouth and an adult displays one of 3 facial expressions and a hand gesture. The dummy is then removed. Observers monitor mouth openings/tongue protrusions from multiple angles
Findings - Association between expression/gestures and babies movement
Conclusion - Infants imitate adults/ interactional synchrony is innate

Question 7

Why is it difficult to know what is happening during infant observations and what does this do(A03)

Answer 7

Babies are in constant motion
Difficult to know if actions are related to interactional synchrony
Reduces internal validity

Question 8

What is the research that supports the link between interactional synchrony and attachment/counter to the research(A03)

Answer 8

Isabella et al
High levels of interactional synchrony lead to better quality mother infant interactions
Research is socially sensitive(counter)

Question 9

How has interactional synchrony been found in the real world(A03)

Answer 9

Crotwell et al 10 minute parent child interaction therapy(PCIT) for 20 low income mothers/babies
Improved interactional synchrony
Shows that interactional synchrony benefits society

Question 10

What are the issues and debates for caregiver infant interactions(A03)

Answer 10

Nature vs nurture

Infant behaviours interact with the environment to either promote a response or provide a response(nurture)