An Examination of Observer Effects in Parent-Child Interactions

Abstract

ZECIOB, LESLIE E.; ARNOLD, SUSAN; and FOREHAND, REX. An Examination of Observer Effects in Parent-Child Interactions. CHILD DEVELOPMENT, 1975, 46, 509-512. In the present study the effects of an observer's presence on maternal interactive behavior were examined by the observation of mother-child pairs under informed and uninformed conditions. A laboratory setting was used as the experimental environment. The results indicated that mothers played with their children more, were more positive in their verbal behavior, and structured their children's activities more during the informed than uninformed observation condition.