Document Type
Undergraduate Thesis
Publication Date
Spring 5-1-2023
Journal
Undergraduate Honours Theses
Abstract
Previous research has investigated how two forms of maternal vocal expression, infant-directed (ID) speech and ID song, differently influence infants’ attention behaviour. Many studies have found a significant difference in attention in response to ID speech and ID song, where infants hold an attentional preference towards ID song. The present study attempted to further these findings and investigated how the two types of maternal vocalizations differently modulate the direction of infant gaze–either inward (within the mother-infant dyad) or outward (outside of the mother-infant dyad). Additionally, infant gaze following two types of interactions elicited by the mothers (inward interactions and outward interactions) was examined. 17 mother-infant dyads were placed in a lab setting where mothers were instructed to engage playfully with their infant using the two maternal vocalizations. Results revealed a significant interaction between type of maternal vocalization (ID song versus ID speech) and interaction elicited (inward versus outward) by the mother.
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Notes
Thesis Advisor(s): Dr. Christine Tsang