This paper reviews a few studies, both in animals and humans, that are relevant in helping us to understand factors affecting infant-mother interaction. (MM)

Examined the relationship between observed sex differences in infants' play, parental responses to these play patterns, and parents' ratings of sample child behaviors as typically masculine, feminine, or neither. (JMB)

Results showed that infants as young as 10 months of age are responsive to the person and behavior of an unfamiliar peer and that they are no less responsive than older infants (22-24 months of age) to the social versus nonsocial aspects of a novel setting. (Author/JMB)

This article is a critique of a study which concluded that there is a relationship between the use of obstetrical drugs and the behavior of infants during the first month of life. (BRT)

This article is a reply to a critique of the authors' study which concluded that there is a relationship between the use of obstetrical drugs and the behavior of infants during the first month of life. (BRT)

The fundamental frequencies (Fo) of infant cries were analyzed to determine if mean cry Fo differed as a function of the infant's sex or due to the stimulus evoking the cry. Results indicate no significant differences in either; however, males exhibited a tendency to have higher mean Fo. (Author/KM)

A series of experiments is described whose aim was to define certain of the effective dimensions of stimulation in the newborn's visual environment. (Author/JMB)

Three-month-old infants received two consecutive 5-minute periods of adult social stimulation. Study results showed that social reinforcement changes the pattern and not the rate of infant vocal responding. (MS)

When mothers of 12 infants 10 weeks of age displayed noncontingent, practiced facial and vocal expressions of joy, anger, and sadness, infants responded differently to each expression. Infants' matching responses to maternal affects were only part of complex but predictable behavioral patterns that indicate meaningful affect states and possibly…

The selection of acts from the stream of infant behavior is examined. Adults (140 mothers, fathers, and other men and women) viewed videotapes of 9-, 15-, and 21-month-old infants. One half noted meaningful acts; the other half noted intentionally communicative acts. Parents selected more meaningful acts than nonparents and agreed more about…

Findings suggest that infant temperament affects the manner in which security or insecurity is expressed, but does not determine whether an infant develops a secure or insecure attachment to parent. (PCB)

Comparison of 14 infants of highly educated mothers with 21 infants of less educated mothers indicated that infants' differential vocal responsiveness (DVR) to mother versus stranger was significantly higher among 3-month-olds with highly educated mothers, thereby suggesting that DVR is influenced by environmental factors. (RH)

Discusses the relationship between insecurity and attachment to soft, inanimate objects. Because attachments to nonsocial objects are common, there is agreement that they do not presage maladjustment. An investigation with 20- to 41-month-olds indicated that attachment to blankets was not associated with general fearfulness, however, certain…

Results indicated that the more frequently the children studied expressed emotion, the older the age of language achievements; and the more time spent in neutral affect, the younger the age of language achievements. (PCB)

A large sample of adults rated a videotape of the activities of an infant whose gender was labeled differently with different subject groups. Labeling the infant "male" resulted in significantly more activities being rated masculine than feminine, whereas the converse was true when the infant was labeled "female." (KH)