Research into caregiver-infant interactions

MELTZOFF & MOORE (1977)

- Conducted a controlled observation with infants 2-3 weeks old. The adult displayed one of 3 facial expressions (mouth open, tongue protruding and lip protrusion) and one hand gesture (opening the hand).

The behaviour/facial expresions of infants in response to these were observed and recorded. They found that there was an association between the behaviour of the infant and that of the adult. 

A later study (1983) found…