CHAPTER 4

LECTURE EXTENSION

Newborns' Ability to Discriminate between Their Own Cry and the Cry of Another Infant

A recent study by Dondi, Simion, and Caltran (1999) examined whether newborns could discriminate between their own cry and the cry of another newborn infant. In particular, infants' facial expressions and nonnutritive sucking rate were used as indicators of distress during the presentation of the two different crying stimuli. Further, the infants' reactions to their own cry and that of another newborn were assessed under two different behavioral states: in an alert state and in an asleep state.

The results indicated that newborns in an awake state showed the facial expression of distress more frequently and for a longer duration when presented with the cry of another infant than their own cry. Further, the rate of sucking decreased during the presentation of another infant's cry. The newborns in an asleep state showed a similar trend, although their responses were delayed and less intense compared to the infants in an awake state. These data suggest that newborns have the capacity to discriminate between their own and another infant's cry when they are awake as well as during sleep. Also, these findings indicate that the cry of a newborn infant induces distress responses in another newborn. Infants who heard another infant's cries displayed facial expressions of distress and often were red-faced.

The authors speculate that infants are able to discriminate between their own cry and that of another infant on the basis of familiarity with their own cry and unfamiliarity with the cry of another. Further, they propose that the newborns' distress responses to another infant's cry may indicate a primitive, emotionally vicarious response to others in distress, whereas the infants' lack of response to their own cries may indicate an adaptive self-regulatory mechanism.

Dondi, M., Simion, F., & Caltran, G. (1999). Can newborns discriminate between their own cry and the cry of another newborn infant? Developmental Psychology, 35, 418-426.

LEARNING ACTIVITY

Evaluating Playgrounds on the Basis of Their Appropriateness for Infants and Toddlers

Ask students to visit local parks and playgrounds and evaluate their appropriateness for infants and toddlers. Are there any pieces of playground equipment that are designed and safe enough for very young children? Are the swings constructed appropriately for safety? Are there any fences surrounding the area? Is the equipment in working order? Are there any small slides? Is there a sandbox area? Have students suggest equipment that would be pleasurable, development-enhancing, and safe for infants and toddlers.