Caregiver-infant interactions in humans: reciprocity and interactional synchrony. Stages of attachment identified by Schaffer. Multiple attachments and the role of the father.

Reciprocity

• Two-way interaction between caregiver and infant.
• Both respond to and influence each other’s behaviour.

Interactional Synchrony

• Caregiver and infant mirror actions and emotions.
• Behaviour is coordinated and matched at the same time.

Caregiver-Infant Interactions

• Includes reciprocity and interactional synchrony.
• Infants are active participants in attachment formation.

Asocial Stage

• 0–6 weeks.
• Infant recognises familiar adults.
• Comforted equally by humans and non-humans.

Indiscriminate Attachment Stage

• 6 weeks–7 months.
• Infant enjoys human company.
• Attention accepted from anyone.
• Little stranger anxiety.

Specific Attachment Stage

• 7–9 months.
• Primary attachment forms.
• Separation and stranger anxiety appear.

Multiple Attachments Stage

• 10 months+.
• Infant forms several attachments.
• Includes fathers, siblings and grandparents.

Role of the Father in Attachment

• Fathers often have play/stimulation role.
• Can act as primary attachment figures.

Meltzoff and Moore

• Studied infant imitation of facial expressions.
• Infants copied tongue protrusion and mouth opening.
• Supports interactional synchrony and active infant role.

Isabella et al.

• Observed synchrony between mothers and infants.
• Higher synchrony linked to stronger attachment quality.

Schaffer and Emerson

• Studied stages of attachment in Glasgow babies.
• Primary attachment formed by around 7 months.
• Multiple attachments formed soon after.

Grossman

• Studied role of fathers in attachment.
• Father’s play behaviour linked to later attachment quality.

Field

• Compared fathers and mothers as caregivers.
• Primary caregiver fathers behaved similarly to mothers.
• Fathers can be primary attachment figures.