A STUDY OF MATERNAL TOUCHING OF NINE-MONTH-OLD INFANTS BASED ON NATURALISTIC OBSERVATION.
Item
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Title
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A STUDY OF MATERNAL TOUCHING OF NINE-MONTH-OLD INFANTS BASED ON NATURALISTIC OBSERVATION.
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Identifier
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AAI8629734
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identifier
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8629734
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Creator
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SARD, DAVID PAUL.
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Contributor
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Ruth C. Reach
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Date
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1986
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Psychology, Clinical
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Abstract
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The purpose of the study was to generate operational categories and hypotheses regarding maternal touching of infants. Seven normal mother-infant pairs were examined using videotaped observations in a social setting. The infants were all nine months old, were evenly mixed racially and sexually, and came from similar socioeconomic backgrounds. A "propaedeutic" analysis was done: the observations were reviewed and compared repeatedly, until systematic patterns emerged, which were then retested against the body of the data. The data-based hypotheses generated by this means included: (A) A classification of touching interactions with respect to levels of synchrony and dissynchrony in the interaction was developed. The temporal and patterned character of synchrony and dissynchrony in touch was examined in extended episodes of touching. (B) Touching interactions were characterized by an ongoing state of mild dissynchrony during free play, punctuated by brief peaks of highly joined activities involving shared attention, close cooperation, or visual engagement, all of which are seen as forms of synchrony. (C) The patterning of synchrony and dissynchrony in touch may be a means for regulating the infant's attention, perception, level of engagement, and affective tone, thereby facilitating peaks of synchrony and dissynchrony.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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Ph.D.
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Program
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Psychology
