A Proposed Scheme for Coding Infant Initiatives During Feeding.

The conceptual and methodological framework of an observational method designed to measure the interconnectedness between individual development and early relationships is presented. This model is based on our growing understanding of the intense participation of the baby in determining his or her own development. Research on the manifestations of initiatives, environmental responses, and interactive happenings (confrontations, negotiations, encounters) has yielded an instrument defined in several different ways. Twenty-eight mother-infant pairs are presented in this paper. Initiative is considered an important manifestation of the expression of the infant as a differentiated being. It is anticipated that the method presented in this paper will be adequate to measure the development of the infant's self in relationship to his or her environment. It is proposed that the progressive constitution of the self will depend upon an adequate resolution of the basic formula preserving spontaneity/compliance during development. Specific interactive phenomena including negotiation and occurrence of encounters will allow for the identification of particular features of each dyad. An objective of the research is to make predictions about the future development of both the infant as an individual and the dyad. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]