TY - JOUR
T1 - Differential distribution and lateralization of infant gestures and their relation to maternal gestures in the Face-to-Face Still-Face paradigm
AU - Montirosso, Rosario
AU - Cozzi, Patrizia
AU - Tronick, Ed
AU - Borgatti, Renato
PY - 2012/12
Y1 - 2012/12
N2 - We examined whether there are differences in the lateralization of expressive gestures in infants during normal and stressful interactions with their mothers and the relations between their gestures. Thirty full-term 6-12 month-old infants were videotaped during the Face-to-Face Still-Face paradigm. We coded the occurrence and lateralization of infant self-directed and other-directed gestures and maternal proximal and distal gestures. Infant self-directed gestures increased from the Play to Still-Face episode and decreased from the Still-Face to Reunion episode. Other-directed gestures decreased from the Play to Still-Face and increased from the Still-Face to Reunion episode. During the Still-Face, self-directed gestures were predominantly performed with the left side of the body. Maternal gestures were not lateralized, but there was a prevalence of distal gestures in the Play and Reunion episodes of the paradigm. Left-sided infant other-directed gestures and left-sided maternal gestures were associated with each other. The findings highlight a differential utilization and lateralization of self- and other-directed gestures related to context and the stress experienced by the infant as well as to maternal gestures. These results are suggestive of a brain asymmetry, but an asymmetry related to emotional engagement and stress regulation.
AB - We examined whether there are differences in the lateralization of expressive gestures in infants during normal and stressful interactions with their mothers and the relations between their gestures. Thirty full-term 6-12 month-old infants were videotaped during the Face-to-Face Still-Face paradigm. We coded the occurrence and lateralization of infant self-directed and other-directed gestures and maternal proximal and distal gestures. Infant self-directed gestures increased from the Play to Still-Face episode and decreased from the Still-Face to Reunion episode. Other-directed gestures decreased from the Play to Still-Face and increased from the Still-Face to Reunion episode. During the Still-Face, self-directed gestures were predominantly performed with the left side of the body. Maternal gestures were not lateralized, but there was a prevalence of distal gestures in the Play and Reunion episodes of the paradigm. Left-sided infant other-directed gestures and left-sided maternal gestures were associated with each other. The findings highlight a differential utilization and lateralization of self- and other-directed gestures related to context and the stress experienced by the infant as well as to maternal gestures. These results are suggestive of a brain asymmetry, but an asymmetry related to emotional engagement and stress regulation.
KW - Expressive gestures
KW - Face-to-Face Still-Face paradigm
KW - Hemispheric asymmetries
KW - Infant
KW - Self-regulation
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84866086683&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84866086683&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.infbeh.2012.07.005
DO - 10.1016/j.infbeh.2012.07.005
M3 - Article
C2 - 22982284
AN - SCOPUS:84866086683
VL - 35
SP - 819
EP - 828
JO - Infant Behavior and Development
JF - Infant Behavior and Development
SN - 0163-6383
IS - 4
ER -