# data[].attributes.body
many studies into mother-infant interactions has shown the same patterns of behaviour (Gratier 2003). however, what is being observed is merely hand movements or changes in expression.

# data[].attributes.body
it is difficult to be sure, based on these observations, what is taking place from the infant's perspective. for example, is the infant's imitation of adults signals conscious and deliberate?

# data[].attributes.body
this means that we cannot be certain that behaviours seen in mother-infant interactions have a special meaning

# data[].attributes.body
mother-infant interactions are usually filmed, often from multiple angles. very fine details of behaviour can be recorded and analysed later

# data[].attributes.body
also babies don't know they are being observed, so their behaviour does not change in response to observation

# data[].attributes.body
this is a strength of this line of research because it means the studies have good validity

# data[].attributes.body
Feldman (

# data[].attributes.body
Feldman (2012) points out that synchrony simply describes behaviours occurring at the same time

# data[].attributes.body
Feldman (2012

# data[].attributes.body
these are robust phenomena in the sense that they can be reliably observed, but this may not be particularly useful as it does not tell us their purpose

# data[].attributes.body
however, there is some evidence that reciprocity and synchrony are helpful in the development of mother-infant attachment, stress, responses, empathy, language and moral development

# data[].attributes.body
this is because it suggests that children may be disadvantaged by particular child-rearing practises

# data[].attributes.body
specifically, mothers who return to work shortly after the child is born restricted the opportunity for achieving interactional synchrony

# data[].attributes.body
this suggests that mothers should not return to work so soon - this has obvious socially sensitive implications

# data[].attributes.body
the identification of interactional synchrony as an important foundation in the formation of high-quality attachments could have practical applications which benefit society

# data[].attributes.body
Crotwll et al. (2013) found that a 10 minute parent-child interaction therapy improved interactional synchrony in 20 low-income mothers compared to a control group

# data[].attributes.body
the findings suggest that research on interactional synchrony could lead to valuable methods for improving and developing mother-infant attachments