Caregiver-infant interactions in humans
Reciprocity = the person responds to the other which elicits a response from
that person. Babies have an alert phase which signals they are ready for
interaction, mother responds to this alert phase
Interactional synchrony = baby and mum reflect/mirror each other’s
expressions and actions. Research support: Meltzoff and Moore found that
when an adult displayed 1 of 3 facial expressions, an association was found
between the expression the adult displayed and the actions of the babies.
Ao3:
Observing infants means hard to be certain as they easily distracted and need
lots of sleep. Don’t speak so their behaviour is interpreted which is subjective
affecting validity.
Isabella found better caregiver-infant attachment was associated w high levels
of interactional synchrony.
Ungeneralisable as individual differences such as class, ethnicity, gender mean
findings are specific to that mother and infant.
Socially sensitive as emphasis is put on developing a good caregiver-infant
relationship at the very start. This makes mothers feel guilty and pressured to
stay at home, blaming them if they go back to work.
Controlled observations mean can control situational variables which will help
considering infants are easily distracted therefore high validity. Can be filmed
so analyse frame by frame meaning internally valid.
, Stages of attachment Schaffer
Stage 1 – asocial stage, first few weeks. Behaviour between humans and
objects are similar. Happier in presence of humans then alone. Prefer faces to
non-faces.
Stage 2 – indiscriminate attachment. 2-7 months. Accept comfort from any
adult. Smile more at familiar than unfamiliar faces. Preference for people
rather than objects. Recognise and prefer familiar people.
Stage 3 – specific attachment. 7 months. Primary attachment to 1 person.
Shows separation and stranger anxiety. Uses familiar adults as a secure base.
Stage 4 – multiple attachment. One year old. Form secondary attachments w
familiar adults.
Schaffer and Emerson investigated early formations of attachment by
measuring separation and stranger anxiety. 60 babies from Glasgow, visited
every month for first year and then again at 18 months. Found: between 25-32
weeks, 50% of babies showed signs of separation anxiety. By 40 weeks, 80%
showed specific attachment, 30% multiple.
Ao3:
Evidence from Schaffer and Emerson – suggested ages etc. However research
is specific to 1 cultural group (w/c) so ungeneralisable.
Practical application. Know when to use day care e.g. multiple attachment
stage as they can form a secondary attachment to the teacher whilst not being
too distressed by parents absence.
Measuring attachment by separation anxiety may be misleading – Bowlby
argues kid become distressed when play mate leaves, doesn’t mean they are
attached. Validity problems as observation studies may measure reactions
rather than attachment.
Reciprocity = the person responds to the other which elicits a response from
that person. Babies have an alert phase which signals they are ready for
interaction, mother responds to this alert phase
Interactional synchrony = baby and mum reflect/mirror each other’s
expressions and actions. Research support: Meltzoff and Moore found that
when an adult displayed 1 of 3 facial expressions, an association was found
between the expression the adult displayed and the actions of the babies.
Ao3:
Observing infants means hard to be certain as they easily distracted and need
lots of sleep. Don’t speak so their behaviour is interpreted which is subjective
affecting validity.
Isabella found better caregiver-infant attachment was associated w high levels
of interactional synchrony.
Ungeneralisable as individual differences such as class, ethnicity, gender mean
findings are specific to that mother and infant.
Socially sensitive as emphasis is put on developing a good caregiver-infant
relationship at the very start. This makes mothers feel guilty and pressured to
stay at home, blaming them if they go back to work.
Controlled observations mean can control situational variables which will help
considering infants are easily distracted therefore high validity. Can be filmed
so analyse frame by frame meaning internally valid.
, Stages of attachment Schaffer
Stage 1 – asocial stage, first few weeks. Behaviour between humans and
objects are similar. Happier in presence of humans then alone. Prefer faces to
non-faces.
Stage 2 – indiscriminate attachment. 2-7 months. Accept comfort from any
adult. Smile more at familiar than unfamiliar faces. Preference for people
rather than objects. Recognise and prefer familiar people.
Stage 3 – specific attachment. 7 months. Primary attachment to 1 person.
Shows separation and stranger anxiety. Uses familiar adults as a secure base.
Stage 4 – multiple attachment. One year old. Form secondary attachments w
familiar adults.
Schaffer and Emerson investigated early formations of attachment by
measuring separation and stranger anxiety. 60 babies from Glasgow, visited
every month for first year and then again at 18 months. Found: between 25-32
weeks, 50% of babies showed signs of separation anxiety. By 40 weeks, 80%
showed specific attachment, 30% multiple.
Ao3:
Evidence from Schaffer and Emerson – suggested ages etc. However research
is specific to 1 cultural group (w/c) so ungeneralisable.
Practical application. Know when to use day care e.g. multiple attachment
stage as they can form a secondary attachment to the teacher whilst not being
too distressed by parents absence.
Measuring attachment by separation anxiety may be misleading – Bowlby
argues kid become distressed when play mate leaves, doesn’t mean they are
attached. Validity problems as observation studies may measure reactions
rather than attachment.
