Describe and evaluate caregiver infant interaction (16 marks)
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Course
Attachment
Institution
AQA
This fully written 16 marker essay follows a clear structure which incorporates both the key knowledge (AO1) of caregiver infant interactions and follows with 3 detailed and effective evaluation points which are based on the PEEL structure and have several chains to them. This essay includes key t...
Describe and evaluate caregiver infant interaction (16 marks)
Attachment is a two way emotional bond between two people, usually caregiver and infant. The
relationship is usually reciprocal and endures over time.
Interactional synchrony is where an infant mirrors the actions of another person in terms of their
facial and body movements, which they do in a coordinated way. Meltzoff and Moore conducted
a series of controlled observations using babies in order to investigate this. The babies were
exposed to 4 different stimuli: 3 facial gestures and 1 manual gesture. Babies' responses were
observed and video recorded and an independent observer was asked to note any instances of
tongue prosecution and hand movements in a bunch of behavioural categories. They found that
babies as young as 2-3 weeks old imitated specific hand and facial gestures showing a clear
correlation between the adults behaviour and the infant response.
One strength of Meltzoff and Moore's study was that it was conducted in a lab meaning there
were high levels of control. This means that any other activities which may distract the babies
can be controlled, allowing for a cause and effect relationship between the adults behaviour and
infant response can be established. Also, since the behaviours were filmed, this means that fine
details were recorded, which can later be analysed and see if anything was missed.
Furthermore, the babies were unaware that they were being observed, which means that their
behaviours were not altered due to demand characteristics. Therefore this is positive as the
research had high internal validity as it was measuring what it was intended to measure,
meaning that results can be generalised to real life.
However, one limitation of research into caregiver infant interactions would be that the research
is seen as socially sensitive. This is because it suggests that interactional synchrony between
mother and infant is necessary and important for the formation of attachment. This may be
problematic for mothers who wish to return back to work as they may feel pressured to stay
home to build this emotional bond as going back too early may harm their development.
Therefore, questions may arise if research like this should be conducted, as it may lead to
issues of discrimination and pressure to act a certain way.
Reciprocity is where an infant responds to an action by the caregiver with a similar action, such
as smiling back when mother smiles at them. This works like taking turns having a conversation
and develops from a young age. Research into reciprocity has found that babies have alert
phases in which they signal that they are ready for interaction, for example by giving eye
contact, and mothers pick up on these signals 2/3 of the time. From about 3 months these
interactions become increasingly frequent.
However, one limitation of research into caregiver infant interactions would be the issues
surrounding observing babies. This is because it is hard to interpret if babies behaviour is
intentional as they lack coordination and their mouths are constantly moving. Therefore, it is
difficult to know whether the behaviour is intentional and not down to chance, therefore
engaging in reciprocity or interactional synchrony is uncertain, and we cannot assume that the
infants responded to their caregiver.
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