Still Face Experiment: Dr. Edward Tronick

Copyright © 2007 ZERO TO THREE http://www.zerotothree.org

Dr. Ed Tronick, director of UMass Boston's new Infant-Parent Mental Health Program http://www.umb.edu/academics/cla/psychology/professional_development/infant-p... and Distinguished Professor of Psychology, discusses the cognitive abilities of infants to read and react to their social surroundings. The video is an exerpt from Lovett Productions' , HELPING BABIES FROM THE BENCH: USING THE SCIENCE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD IN COURT.


Using the "Still Face" Experiment, in which a mother denies her baby attention for a short period of time, Dr. Tronick describes how prolonged lack of attention can move an infant from good socialization, to periods of bad but repairable socialization. In "ugly" situations the child does not receive any chance to return to the good, and may become stuck.

For more information of Infant-Parent Mental Health: http://www.umb.edu/academics/cla/psychology/professional_development/infant-p...

To hear about Dr. Tronick's latest work visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmE3NfB_HhE To support the Infant-Parent Mental Health program: https://www.umb.edu/giving/give_now/ and note the program in the "other" field.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Good
• Bad
• Ugly;
• Tronick;
• Infant;
• parent;
• Mental
• Health;
• Mother;
• baby;
• socialization;
• still
• face;
• interaction;
• experiment
• Boston
• research university
• urban university
• university of Massachusetts
• UMass Boston
• graduate school

[Zebonka]

I don't think this is unique to babies. I'd probably cry too.

[Itoshiiyoma]

You can tell this is hard for the mother too by the way she starts rapidly blinking the more upset her child becomes.

[PepeLePew125]

Opposite of my daughter. When she was a baby, she would give you raspberries (spits in your face) if you do "coochie coochie coo" with anyone. Funny kid, hope she turns out ok.

[sweetseraphicsonia]

@hereandnow6002 Just curious, how much attention do you give your parents now?

[SilliiBoo]

@Chaos28561 You don't need to sign your post... Your name shows up beneath them.

[BishtrainerTai16]

Aw this made me sad. Someone edit this and replace the mom with Spock instead.

[Chaos28561]

I loled. =D

-Chaos

[sfhlaj]

This type of reaction is not unique to babies or children. It is common in adults and seems to be hard wired into us. If we reach out to someone for an extended period of time and they don't respond in a kind and loving way we tend to lash out and try various approaches to get their attention. Failing this we fall victim to returning the same behaviour to the one sharing it with us. In this way we often build walls between our loved ones in relationships.

[sgilesmsw]

I always show this video to my clients when they start Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) Couple counselling - it very quickly focuses our work on the the central focus of EFT - attachment . Most people can easily identify with this wonderful video - which is why it is so helpful. I first saw it at EFT training with Sue Johnson - luv it !! thanks sue !!

[angrybear86]

kind of got really upset watching this and stared tearing up.

[fremen13]

OMFG THAT"S SO MEAN I FELT HORRIBLE WATCHING THIS

[GreenmeGo]

Nice move Dr. Edward