Reactions of infants and young children to a stranger in an unfamiliar setting

Reactions of infants and young children to a stranger in an unfamiliar laboratory setting were examined to determine (a) variability in responses at six, 12, 24, and 36 months; (b) consistency of six and 12 month infants' responses to specific stranger behaviors; and (c) possible determinants of responses to strangers. The reactions of 136 male and female infants and children to a female stranger were recorded both when the stranger was actively trying to interact with the child and when the stranger sat quietly nearby after giving him a toy to play with. Both positive and negative reactions were observed at all ages, with one-year-olds showing greater distress than other age groups. Consistency was found in infant reactions to intrusive stranger behaviors. It was suggested that stangers are more likely to elicit curious-affiliative than cautious-avoidance behaviors from chidren if they are both attentive and appropriately to the child on the basis of his communications.