Social Interactions of Guatemalan Infants

Abstract

The behavior of 52 rural Guatemalan infants of ages 8, 12, and 16 months was observed and recorded in their homes. Most interactions initiated by the caretaker seemed to consist largely of caretaking activities, and a relatively large verbal component was evident only with increasing age. Specific caretakers were associated with specific types of social interactions. The mother was the primary caretaker, being responsible for most of the carrying, questioning, ordering, teaching, and prohibiting of her son or daughter. Interactions initiated by the infant generally included touching and preverbal vocalizations. Most social play and touching involved siblings. Visual interest, vocalizing, and smiling were greatest when directed to a person outside the nuclear family. The father was found to have little effect on the social environment of the infants observed.