Children all over the world learn language, yet the contexts in which they do so vary substantially. This variation needs to be systematically quantified to build robust and generalizable theories of language acquisition. We compared communicative interactions between parents and their 2-year-old children (N = 99 families) during mealtime across…

Principles of a dynamic, dyadic systems view of mother-infant face-to-face communication, which considers self- and interactive processes in relation to one another, were tested. The process of interaction across time in a large low-risk community sample at infant age 4 months was examined. Split-screen videotape was coded on a 1-s time base for…

When their infants were 6 months of age, mothers were assessed for self-efficacy (low, moderate, and high illusory control) and knowledge of infant development to determine their impact on mothers' behavioral sensitivity and affect during a feeding task at 9 months (N=70). Mothers' sensory sensitivity to digital images of infants' negative and…

The goal of this article was to investigate an indirect form of intergroup differentiation in children in the context of racial attitudes: the preference for ingroup members who interact positively with other ingroup members rather than with outgroup members. Study 1 confirmed this general hypothesis with preschool and 1st-grade children,…

This study examined the stranger reactions of 18-month-old children in three types of mother/stranger social contexts: (1) no interaction, (2) conversation only, or (3) playing cards. The results showed differential responding by condition, suggesting that 18-month-olds are sensitive to the background context of social encounters.

Experimental social histories were created for 22 6-month-old infants by providing structured interactions with three different adults (a distal interactor, a proximal interactor, and a neutral interactor) over a three-week period. Infants' social preferences (looking and approaching) for each of the interactors were then compared. (Author/JMB)

Modeling techniques and reinforcements for imitation of 35 mothers were recorded as the mothers interacted with their 19-month-old infants in a seminaturalistic setting. Children's imitations and mothers' reinforcements for imitation were found to be complexly related. (GO)

Reports a study of interactions of middle-class parents from 27 Swedish families, designated as shared child care or traditional families, with their first-born infants, aged 8 to 12 months. Suggests that differential involvement in child care has significant effects on fathers' behavior. (DR)

Offered empirical arguments and theoretical analysis for the view that parental discipline is more likely the antecedent than the consequent of the child's moral internalization and that discipline provides experiences necessary for internalization. Also conceptualizes parent-child relations in terms of everyday interaction and long-term effects.…

A child's history of reinforcement is regarded as setting a standard that determines what current rates of reinforcement will be deprivational or satiational for him. (Author)

This study examined the effects of situational pressure and maternal characteristics (social contingent self-worth, controlling parenting attitudes) on mothers' autonomy support versus control in the social domain. Sixty 4th-grade children and their mothers worked on a laboratory task in preparation for meeting new children, with mothers in either…

This study examined the effects of aid from mother and older sibling on the problem-solving behaviors of 120 first graders. Children with older sisters showed more advanced problem solving after aid, while those with older brothers did not. Interpretations in terms of family interaction patterns are offered. (JMB)

Investigates whether a variation in task content (focusing on instrumental/external family issues v emotional expressive/internal issues) influences family interaction when task structure is held constant. The responses of 64 well-adjusted family triads were scored for differences in conflict, dominance, and affect. (Author/SS)