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Updated: Aug 7, 2025
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Psychophysiological Assessment of the Effectiveness of Emotion Regulation Strategies in Childhood
Published on: February 11, 2017
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Developmental dynamics of positive and negative emotion in infancy
Ross A Thompson1, Susan E Rowe2
1Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis.
Emotion (Washington, D.C.)
|March 9, 2023
Summary
Infant emotional responses become more intense and faster with age. The organization of positive and negative emotions differs, with negative responses showing threat-avoidance patterns and positive responses facilitating social engagement.
Area of Science:
- Developmental psychology
- Infant emotional dynamics
- Social-emotional development
Background:
- Understanding the dynamic features of infant emotion is crucial for development.
- Limited research exists on early changes and organization of these emotional dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore developmental changes in the intensity and speed of infant emotional responses.
- To investigate the organization of positive and negative emotional responses in infants.
Main Methods:
- Observing 58 White infants at 6, 9, and 12 months.
- Using four social episodes (positive and negative emotions) to elicit responses.
- Collecting continuous time-sampled ratings of facial and vocal responding.
Main Results:
- Infants showed significant increases in response intensity and speed for both positive and negative emotions.
- The organization of positive and negative emotional responses differed consistently across age and modality.
- Negative emotion responses indicated threat-avoidance, while positive responses supported social engagement.
Conclusions:
- Infant emotional dynamics mature significantly between 6 and 12 months.
- Distinct organizational patterns emerge for positive and negative emotional expressions.
- Findings inform our understanding of early social-emotional development and threat response.
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