Neonatal imitation, gaze aversion, and mother-infant interaction

• A relationship between elicited imitation in neanates and social interaction hasbeen proposed by several investigators. The present work examines if such arelationship can be found when studying neonatal imitation, gaze aversion, andmother-inFant interaction. Thirty-two infants were observed at 2 to 3 days, 3weeks, and 3 months of age. imitation of tongue protrusion and mouth openingwas assessed in all three observations. in addition, a face-to-face interactionbetween mother and child was included when the child reached 3 months of age_The most striking result was a negative relationship between the infants' briefgaze aversion observed at 3 months of age while interacting with their mothersand the inFants' imitative reactions at 2 to 3 days, 3 weeks, and 3 months of age_Behaviorally, these patterns indicate that high-imitating infants tend to displayfewer episodes of brief gaze aversion when interacting with their mothers.

Subject headings

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Psykologi -- Psykologi (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Psychology -- Psychology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

neonates

imitation

gaze aversion

mother-infant interaction

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)