Evaluation: Care-giver interactions

Question 1

Name the 1st strength of the caregiver-infant interaction.

Answer 1

Value of the research:
- Imitation behaviour = forms basis for social development

• Child acquires understanding on what people think & feel
• It’s a strength as it explains how children begin to understand & feel, this conducts relationships
• Theory of mind/like me hypothesis

Question 2

Name the 1st limitation of the caregiver-infant interaction.

Answer 2

Individual differences:
- Isabella et al (1989) discovered strongly attached infant-caregiver pairs show greater interactional synchrony

• Heimann (1989) showed more imitation = greater relationship
• However, isn’t clear if imitation is cause or effect of early synchrony

Question 3

Name the 2nd strength of the caregiver-infant interaction.

Answer 3

Intentionally supported:
- Abravanel & PeYong (1991)

• Discovered infants age 5-12 weeks make little responses to inanimate objects
• Suggests infants have specific social response to other humans