Identifies a coordinative structure of action that integrates hand and mouth activities within hours after birth. Found that presenting neonates with a sucrose solution focused gross motor patterns of hand movement on the oral and perioral regions. (SKC)

To determine whether and how bidirectional influence occurs, time- and frequency-domain techniques were used to study the interactions of 54 mother-infant pairs, 18 each at infants' third, sixth, and ninth month of age. At no age was the occurrence of cycles in mothers' or infants' behavior related to the achievement of bidirectional influence.…

Studies of the susceptibility of observations of adult-child interactions to bias because of the physical attractiveness of target persons indicated that when making global ratings observers were significantly and favorably biased toward attractive women. No bias was obtained when observers used a molecular coding strategy. (RH)

Results indicate that infants are able to recognize a human face from a specific motion pattern even when the face lacks static facial features. (PCB)

Infants who cried in response to a reward shift evidenced no retention of the contingency 1 week later but did have excellent retention at one day. Reactivation treatment alleviated forgetting at three weeks. Results indicate that crying in response to violation of a reward-expectation habit functions as an amnesic agent to produce accelerated…

Topographical similarities and differences between repetitive behaviors exhibited by 12 nonretarded infants and 11 severely mentally retarded children were examined. An analysis of stereotyped body-rocking and hand-gazing behavior exhibited by both groups demonstrated topographical differences. (Author/CL)

Maternal interaction with two- and three-year-old Down syndrome children and developmentally matched nonretarded children was analyzed. Mothers of Down syndrome children were more dominant and their children less active communication partners than normal Ss. Mothers of Down syndrome children may be more directive as a result of efforts to increase…

Newborn infants showing anthropometric signs of atypical patterns of fetal growth were compared with infants of appropriate growth on the Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale and on recently developed supplementary items. The sample consisted of lower-socioeconomic-status families in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and included teenage and older mothers.…

Two experiments assessed the extent of newborns' ability to discriminate color. Results imply that newborns have some, albeit limited, capacity to discriminate chromatic from achromatic stimuli, and hence, are at least dichromats. (Author/DR)

Results of a study of 10- and 11- month-old infants support Piaget's hypothesis that practical, action-based knowledge during infancy is involved in achievement of spatial understanding and that the experience of self-initiated locomotion contributes to spatial development. (Author/NH)

Describes a group called "Fathering: The First Time" formed to help new fathers cope with stress and to share support and information. Discusses the therapists' role and group process from euphoria to competency. (JAC)

Descriptions of the Social Interaction Assessment/Intervention model, an approach to help caregivers adjust interactive styles to the particular interactive characterisitcs of their handicapped infants, are followed by a review of assessment and intervention procedures and a summary of results for three mother-child dyads. (Author/CL)

Investigates the relationship between the infant's attachment to the mother and the mother's perception of support from the father. Mothers who receive positive support from fathers tend to have infants with secure attachment. (AS)

Examines discrimination of geometric shapes by three-month-old infants who were presented with geometric stimuli moving laterally at two different velocities. Finds that subjects discriminate between geometric forms at velocities that, according to previous findings, might interfere with shape discrimination. Discusses the possible interactive…

Infants between 4 and 21 weeks of age participated in two experiments involving the modeling of from 3 to 5 gestures. Frequencies of infants' reproduction of a modeled act were compared against baseline frequencies and against average frequencies of the act during periods when other actions were modeled. Suggest that imitation of gestures was…