Abstract
Stability over time and consistency across contexts in the interactive behaviors of 10 girls and 10 boys and their mothers were investigated during play and bath sessions when the children were 10, 13, 17, and 21 months of age. Despite general instability and inconsistency in the children’s social responsivity, interest in the toys, and positive affect, these behaviors evidenced systematic and expected relations with maternal characteristics by the middle of the second year. Mothers’ behaviors demonstrated striking differences, with responsiveness a highly stable and consistent personal style, affect expression an unstable but consistent temporary quality, and directiveness an unstable and inconsistent pattern. The results also highlight the importance of considering both child age and interactive context in understanding dyadic behaviors.
Recommended Citation
Frank Masur, Elise and Turner, Margaret
(2001)
"Stability and Consistency in Mothers’
and Infants’ Interactive Styles,"
Merrill-Palmer Quarterly: Vol. 47:
Iss.
1, Article 5.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/mpq/vol47/iss1/5