3.1.2 Reciprocity & Interactional Synchrony

Two caregiver infant interactions:

Reciprocity:

The first caregiver-infant interaction. The infant and caregiver both take turns in an interaction, so they are responding to each other's actions. This strengthens the attachment bond.

Interactional synchrony:

The second caregiver-infant interaction. When caregivers and infants perform similar actions in time with one another (mirroring), this strengthens the attachment bond.

Both facilitate attachments

KEY STUDIES:

Condon & Sander (1974) - Interactional synchrony & Reciprocity

Used frame-by-frame video analysis to describe the fact that caregivers and infants display interactional synchrony and reciprocity

Isabella et al (1989) - Interactional synchrony

Used frame-by-frame video analysis to make detailed observations of caregiver-infant interactions. Found a positive correlation between interactional synchrony and the strength of the caregiver-infant attachment. This supports the idea that interactional synchrony helps to strengthen attachments.

Evaluation of studying caregiver-infant interactions:

Isabella, Condon & Sandler.

Strengths:

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P: Researchers used well-controlled frame-by-frame video analysis

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E: This allowed them to gain highly detailed observations.

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E: Therefore, producing more reliable observations

Weaknesses:

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P: Researchers may not have always been objective in their observations

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E: It is difficult to know what infants mean by their interactions. Gestures and movements may have been over-interpreted by researchers in a way that fits their expectations

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E: Therefore, observer bias may be an issue, decreasing the validity of the conclusions drawn from the research.

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Interactional synchrony may not have caused the stronger attachment.

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For example, it may be the other way around. A stronger attachment bond may cause mothers and babies to display more interactional synchrony

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Difficult to establish a cause-and-effect relationship between interactions and the strength of the attachment because the research was correlational

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The fact that interactions between caregivers and infants such as reciprocity and interactional synchrony can influence the strength of the attachment bond indicates that there are environmental influences that help to shape attachments.

Reciprocity & Interactional Synchrony Simplified Revision Notes for A-Level AQA Psychology

3.1.2 Reciprocity & Interactional Synchrony

Two caregiver infant interactions:

KEY STUDIES:

Evaluation of studying caregiver-infant interactions:

Isabella, Condon & Sandler.

Strengths:

Weaknesses:

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