Infants perceive two-dimensional shape from horizontal disparity
Publication date: August 2018Source: Infant Behavior and Development, Volume 52Author(s): Stephanie Braun, Michael KavšekAbstractPrevious studies observed that responsiveness to horizontal disparity as such emerges at approximately 2 months of age. Moreover, 3- to 4-month-old infants utilize stereoscopic information to perceive object variations in depth. The present study investigated infants’ ability to respond to crossed horizontal disparity information that defines two-dimensional shape. Infants 4 and 5 months of age were habituated to either a cross or the outline of a square. During the posthabituation period, the...
Source: Infant Behavior and Development - August 9, 2018 Category: Child Development Source Type: research
Infants’ sensitivity to rhyme in songs
In this study, we investigated whether infants can already recognize this phonological pattern in songs. Earlier studies using lists of spoken words were equivocal on infants’ spontaneous processing of rhymes (Hayes et al., 2000; Jusczyk et al., 1999). Songs, however, constitute an ecologically valid rhyming stimulus, which could allow for spontaneous processing of this phonological pattern in infants. Novel children’s songs with rhyming and non-rhyming lyrics using pseudo-words were presented to 35 9-month-old Dutch infants using the Headturn Preference Procedure. Infants on average listened longer to the non-rhyming ...
Source: Infant Behavior and Development - August 5, 2018 Category: Child Development Source Type: research
Sixteen-month-old infants are sensitive to competence in third-party observational learning
Publication date: August 2018Source: Infant Behavior and Development, Volume 52Author(s): Vivian Lee, M.D. RutherfordAbstractObservational learning is important to development, but not all adult models are equally informative and accurate. Selectivity is important in observational learning. Past research studies have not always differentiated competence and confidence, so the current study investigated infants’ selective imitation after observing third-party interactions, when confidence and competence were varied independently. Forty-eight 16-month-olds watched a model demonstrate the function of tools while displaying ...
Source: Infant Behavior and Development - July 11, 2018 Category: Child Development Source Type: research
Watch and listen – A cross-cultural study of audio-visual-matching behavior in 4.5-month-old infants in German and Swedish talking faces
This study confirms a remarkably early emerging ability of infants to match auditory and visual information. The fact that the types of information were matched despite sequential presentation demonstrates that the information is retained in short term memory, and thus goes beyond purely perceptual – here-and-now processing. (Source: Infant Behavior and Development)
Source: Infant Behavior and Development - July 11, 2018 Category: Child Development Source Type: research
Testosterone reactivity to infant crying and caregiving in women: The role of oral contraceptives and basal cortisol
We examined T reactivity to a crying infant simulator in 160 women. Use of oral contraceptives (OC), basal cortisol (CORT) levels and childhood experiences of maternal love withdrawal were taken into account. T levels were consistently significantly higher in women not using OC. In women not using OC, high basal CORT was related to higher initial T levels and larger decreases of T during caregiving. No effect of basal CORT was found in women with OC use. Childhood experiences of maternal love withdrawal did not affect T levels. This is the first study to show support for a decrease of T in women while taking care of a cryi...
Source: Infant Behavior and Development - July 11, 2018 Category: Child Development Source Type: research
Affective reactivity to cry sounds predicts young women’s reactivity and behavior in a simulated caregiving task
Publication date: Available online 13 September 2017Source: Infant Behavior and DevelopmentAuthor(s): Gwen E. Gustafson, Jennifer B. Bisson, Jillian M. MacDonald, James A. GreenAbstractDifferent populations of adults (experienced vs. inexperienced caregivers, men vs. women, abusive vs. nonabusive parents, etc.) have been reported to differ in their affective reactions to the sounds of infant crying. These differences are thought to impact caregiving behavior and, in some instances, to affect long-term outcomes for infants. There can be great intra-group variation, however, even when group differences are significant; model...
Source: Infant Behavior and Development - July 11, 2018 Category: Child Development Source Type: research
When soothing succeeds: Simulating a risk for repeated shaking in abusive head trauma in infants
ConclusionsThat caregivers were more likely to repeat a successful soothing technique converges with perpetrator confessions that crying cessation after shaking may be a reason why shaking is used repeatedly in response to crying. (Source: Infant Behavior and Development)
Source: Infant Behavior and Development - July 11, 2018 Category: Child Development Source Type: research
Young adult couples’ behavioral and physiological responses to the infant simulator: A preliminary illustration of coparenting
Publication date: Available online 1 May 2018Source: Infant Behavior and DevelopmentAuthor(s): Hannah F. Rasmussen, Geoffrey W. Corner, Gayla MargolinAbstractThis exploratory application of the infant simulator with two couples is designed to illustrate individual reactivity and coparenting behaviors in young couples in serious relationships who do not yet have children. A 35-min protocol with standardized onsets and offsets of inconsolable baby cries was used to capture partner’s individual behavioral and physiological responses as well as the couple’s joint efforts to soothe the crying baby. Task feasibility was demo...
Source: Infant Behavior and Development - July 11, 2018 Category: Child Development Source Type: research
Motor affordance at home for infants living in poverty: A feasibility study
ConclusionAmplifying motor affordance at home may be considered appropriate for future clinical trials. It may be an efficient/low-cost early intervention strategy for infants at environmental risk. (Source: Infant Behavior and Development)
Source: Infant Behavior and Development - July 11, 2018 Category: Child Development Source Type: research
Differential effects of others’ emotional cues on 18-month-olds’ preferential reproduction of observed actions
This study explored infants’ understanding of the referential specificity of others’ emotional cues when being confronted with two actions that are accompanied by different emotional displays. Selective action reproduction was measured after 18-month-olds (N = 42) had observed two actions directed at the same object, one of which was modeled with a positive emotional expression and the other with a negative emotional expression. Across four trials with different objects, infants’ first actions matched the positively-emoted actions more often than the negatively-emoted actions. In comparison with baseline-level, i...
Source: Infant Behavior and Development - July 11, 2018 Category: Child Development Source Type: research
Editorial Board
Publication date: May 2018Source: Infant Behavior and Development, Volume 51Author(s): (Source: Infant Behavior and Development)
Source: Infant Behavior and Development - July 11, 2018 Category: Child Development Source Type: research
Evaluation of upper limb movements in children with Down’s syndrome: A systematic review
ConclusionA kinematic evaluation is effective for the discussion of the results, but methodological differences among the studies and inconsistent results exert a negative influence on clinical interpretations and the possibility of reproducibility. The standardization of an upper limb movement evaluation protocol using kinematic analysis is important, as it would provide the basis for comparable, reproducible results and facilitate the planning of treatment interventions. (Source: Infant Behavior and Development)
Source: Infant Behavior and Development - July 11, 2018 Category: Child Development Source Type: research
How are social-emotional and behavioral competences and problems at age 1 year associated with infant motor development? A general population study
In this study, we investigated associations between early competencies and problems, as measured by the Brief Infant-Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment (BITSEA), and the timing of achievement of the main gross and fine motor milestones usually attained during the first year of life in a general population context. The study sample consisted of 515 infants (mean age 12.9 [SD 0.9] months) and their parents (514 mothers, 434 fathers), who were recruited in child health centers in Northern Finland. The infants were divided into two groups, based on their BITSEA screen status, and motor milestone achievement ages were comp...
Source: Infant Behavior and Development - July 11, 2018 Category: Child Development Source Type: research
Is the Effect of Postpartum Depression on Mother-Infant Bonding Universal?
ConclusionThe prevalence of PPD was higher than previously reported at day 2–3 post-delivery, but lower at 10–12 weeks postpartum. Impaired mother- infant bonding was associated older mothers, history of depression, low social support and BDI-II scores above 20 which should alert practitioner to assessing these factors in post-partum mothers. (Source: Infant Behavior and Development)
Source: Infant Behavior and Development - July 11, 2018 Category: Child Development Source Type: research
Postnatal anxiety prevalence, predictors and effects on development: A narrative review
Publication date: May 2018Source: Infant Behavior and Development, Volume 51Author(s): Tiffany FieldAbstractThe increasing prevalence of postnatal anxiety highlights the need for summarizing the recent research on this condition to inform screening and intervention efforts. This narrative review of the literature was derived from a search on PubMed and PsycINFO for papers published since 2010. The demographic risk factors for postnatal anxiety include being a young mother, having more education and being employed. Childbirth risk factors include being primiparous in one sample and multiparous in another, caesarean delivery...
Source: Infant Behavior and Development - July 11, 2018 Category: Child Development Source Type: research
