Explores whether transactional/interactional, environmental, or developmental status models best represent growth from infancy to early childhood. Attempts to identify features of the social environment important for specific developmental outcomes. Observations of interactions between 40 mothers and their three-month-old infants were used to…

Examines, in three experiments, infant sensitivity at 20, 30, and 36 weeks of age to 3-dimensional structure of a human form specified through biomechanical motions. Findings are interpreted as suggesting that infants, by 36 weeks of age, are extracting fundamental properties necessary for interpreting a point-light display as a person. (Author/BE)

Investigates 56 nursery school children and their parents, finding sex and age differences in child behavior, sex differences in parent behavior, and differences for both over time. Suggests that leave-taking distress is related to ambivalent behavior at reunion and to parent behaviors. (CB)

Reports a study which examines some of the properties of objects to determine whether the number of different examples of an object concept presented to infants influences concept learning and generalization and to discover whether children's behavior and language in relation to new objects influence learning the concept and generalization to new…

Explored origins of individual differences in infant shyness by studying its relationship to parental shyness, sociability, and introversion-extraversion. Full adoption design examined role of both genetic and family environmental influences as possible etiological factors in development of infant shyness. Results indicate genetic influences and…

Synopsizes a case that tested the role of the state in decisions to withhold surgery from handicapped newborns. Suggests that parents should retain primary decision making authority--until legislation is worded clearly enough for effectual court interpretation, and government is willing to provide more funding and support services for the…

Twenty-five infants were tested every two weeks on the AB Object Permanence Task, from the time they first reached for a hidden object until they were 12 months old. Results indicate that the AB provides an index of the ability to carry out an intention based on stored information despite a conflicting habitual tendency. (Author/RH)

Assessed temperament of newborn twins using comprehensive neonatal exam that focused on irritability, resistance to soothing activity, and reinforcement value. Some infants were later assessed at 9 months. Emotional activity appeared to be core dimension stretching over ages and is discussed in relation to formulations of infant temperament.…

Describes new Appalachian Regional Commission model health care program linking expectant mothers/infants with volunteers familiar with available resources to provide prenatal medical care, assistance in modifying personal habits potentially harmful to unborn infants, nutritional supplements and advice, and social service assistance. Includes 1982…

Distinguishes between attachment (the relationship between infant and caregiver) and dependency (the reliance of the child on adults for nurturance, attention, or assistance). Assesses preschool children with varying attachment histories and suggests that the roots of overdependency lie in the quality of the early infant-caregiver relationship.…

Summarizes recent trends in French developmental psychology, including those regarding (1) cognitive development as it relates to Piaget's theory, (2) psycholinguistics in preschool children, (3) social interaction, and (4) the structuring of time and space by infants and toddlers. (Author/RH)

Examines the assumptions about infant development that underlie infant intervention programs. Focuses on four popular ideas: that environment is the sole determinant of development; that development is linear and continuous; that early experiences carry more weight than later experiences; and that providing a more "stimulating"…

Discusses the stress placed on families by nonsoothable crying infants, and describes a CrySOS clinic which was designed to help parents cope. Theoretical and empirical backgrounds are presented, as well as procedures followed at a typical first visit and some current developments. (JAC)

Four children were videotaped playing with their mothers, first in a situation with gestures, and then in a situation without gestures. Results showed that maternal gestures have more of a role in maintaining attention and flow of interaction for young children than they do in providing specific cues to the grammar the child is acquiring. (SL)

Facial configuration and height were systematically varied as four different strangers--a male and female child, a female adult and a small female adult (midget)--each approached 40 different infants. The infants responded as if there were 3 classes of persons, suggesting that both size and facial configuration cues were used. (Author/SB)