3.1.2

Condon & Sander (1974)

Test yourself

Condon & Sander (1974): Interactional Synchrony Evidence

Interactional synchrony is a theory of social communication where behaviours of one or more individuals become synchronised.

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Interactional synchrony

  • It starts from the initial consolidation of biological rhythms during pregnancy to the emergence of symbolic and often rhythmic exchanges between parent and child.
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Aim & procedure

  • Research aim: A study to investigate interactional synchrony (turn taking) in newborns and their parents.
  • Procedure: Videos of parents talking to their newborns were analysed frame by frame. The behaviour of the newborn was noted.
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Results

  • They noticed that even newborns co-ordinate their movements and gestures in time with human speech. There was an element of turn taking and the babies seemed to respond to the one-sided conversation.
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Conclusion

  • This study shows that interactional synchrony starts at an early age.
  • Meltzoff & Moore (1977) say this begins as early as two weeks old.
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Evaluation

  • Strengths
    • Ecological validity – parents and babies in their own environment.
    • Ethical study.
  • Limitations
    • The behaviour of newborns is open to interpretation e.g. is it a smile or wind?

Jump to other topics

1Social Influence

2Memory

3Attachment

4Psychopathology

5Approaches in Psychology

6Biopsychology

7Research Methods

8Issues & Debates in Psychology (A2 only)

9Option 1: Relationships (A2 only)

10Option 1: Gender (A2 only)

11Option 1: Cognition & Development (A2 only)

12Option 2: Schizophrenia (A2 only)

13Option 2: Eating Behaviour (A2 only)

14Option 2: Stress (A2 only)

15Option 3: Aggression (A2 only)

16Option 3: Forensic Psychology (A2 only)

17Option 3: Addiction (A2 only)

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