Learning display rules: the socialization of emotion expression in infancy

Area of Science:

• Developmental Psychology
• Infant Behavior
• Social Interaction

Background:

• Early infancy is a critical period for the development of emotional expression and social communication.
• Understanding mother-infant dyadic interactions provides insights into the socialization of affect.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine changes in infant facial expression type and frequency between 3 and 6 months of age.
• To analyze maternal responses to infant expressiveness and identify patterns of contingent interaction.
• To investigate mother-infant dyadic similarities in expressiveness.

Main Methods:

• 60 mother-infant dyads were videotaped during play and reunion scenarios.
• Infant and maternal facial expressions were coded using the Max muscular components method.
• Mothers' verbal responses to infant expressiveness were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Infants exhibited a wide range of expressions and rapid changes at both 3 and 6 months.
• Mothers responded contingently to 25% of infant expression changes, with variations based on infant age and sex.
• Mothers showed more contingent responding to older sons' smiles and imitated sons' expressions more than daughters'.
• Older infants displayed less negative affect and slower expression lability; mothers acknowledged older infants' expression changes less frequently.
• Dyadic similarities in expressiveness, including specific expression types and facial region use, were observed.

Conclusions:

• Socialization of affect expression begins in early infancy.
• Infant expressiveness adapts to cultural, gender, and familial demands before the first year.
• Maternal responses play a role in shaping infant emotional expression development.