Considerable research on the mother-infant bond has proceeded on the assumption that mothers' facial expression is the principal medium of communication. Cohn and Moore hypothesize a much stronger role for vocal interaction; if this is true, then previous studies might seriously underestimate the extent to which infants are responsive to their mothers' behavior. The research will study the frequency and patterning of mothers' speech, to determine the relationship of these variables to the intensity of mothers' affective behaviors and infants' attention. In attention, the research will seek to determine if specific mothers' vocalizations influence specific infant behaviors. Finally, developmental shifts in vocal-vs-facial influence will be studied. This research promises to throw a powerful light on the mysteries surrounding the bonding of mothers and their infants, and ultimately on the factors that influence crucial developmental processes in infancy.
