Caregiver-infant interactions - AO3

Question 1

What is a strength of caregiver-infant interactions?

Answer 1

• P: Strength = observations are filmed in a lab
• E: Distracting activity can be controlled and videos can be watched back to establish inter-observer reliablity
• E: Babies do not know they are being filmed (covert observation) so no demand characteristics (better internal validity)
• L: Therefore data has no good reliabilty and validity

Question 2

What is a limitation of Caregiver-infant interactions?

Answer 2

• P: Limitation = hard to interpret behaviour of babies
• E: Can only observe small gestures and subtle changes in expression
• E: Movements may just be random rather than triggered by caregiver
• L: Therefore cannot be certain behaviours seen in interactions are significant

Question 3

What can be considered in caregiver-infant research? (AO3)
(It is a PECS)

Answer 3

• P: Consider: practical vs ethical value
• E: Crotwell et al. (2013): 10 minute ‘interaction therapy’ improved interactional synchrony
• C: Research is socially sensitive; implications for parents returning to work
• S: Therefore the practical values may not outweigh the ethical implications

Question 4

What is another PECS of caregiver-infant interactions?

Answer 4

• P: Limitations = behaviours does not equal developmental importance
• E: Feldman (2012): Interactions reliably observed, but doesn’t show purpose of behaviours
• C: Isabella et al (1989): Interactional synchrony predicted development of good quality attachment
• S: Therefore indicates caregiver-infant interactions important in development