Challenging Blinkered Perspectives: Evaluating Theories of Infant Sociability

The appendix of “Babies in Groups” presents thorough and evidence-rich evaluations of two well-known theories of infant sociability. These evaluations shed light on how these theories fail to fully appreciate the importance of groupness in infants. The first theory examined is the notion that babies are born with an innate capacity for one-to-one mind-reading or “innate intersubjectivity.” The second theory evaluated is the attachment perspective, which posits that babies spend their first two years constructing an attachment behavioral system centered around a mother-figure as the set-goal for socio-emotional development.

In the evaluation of the theory of innate intersubjectivity, the appendix provides evidence to scrutinize claims that babies possess a capacity for mind-reading from birth. It highlights various aspects that challenge this perspective, such as pre-speech conversational behavior, the ability to distinguish people from objects, the role of adults in infant-adult “conversations,” and experiments involving perturbation. The available evidence, as analyzed in the appendix, aligns more closely with the idea that babies’ orientation towards their world is governed by a form of narcissism or “primary process” rather than an innate capacity for mind-reading. This suggests that infants’ early interactions are rooted in their own self-centered experiences rather than an ability to understand and engage in reciprocal social exchanges.

The second part of the appendix focuses on the attachment perspective and its claims regarding the construction of an attachment behavioral system in the first two years of life. It summarizes evidence that challenges the notion that a mother-figure serves as the foundation for later socio-emotional development. The research presented in the appendix suggests that attachment theory reflects a culture-specific theory of adult caregiving rather than a biological theory of infant sociability. This implies that the concepts and principles of attachment are influenced by cultural and societal factors, rather than being universal and biologically predetermined.

Overall, the appendix underscores the limitations of these well-known theories in capturing the complexities of infant sociability. By critically evaluating the evidence, it challenges the prevailing assumptions and invites a reevaluation of the conceptual frameworks that shape our understanding of early social development.

The evaluations presented in the appendix highlight the need for a broader perspective that recognizes the importance of groupness in infants’ lives. They call attention to the interconnectedness and social dynamics that influence infants’ experiences from the earliest stages of life. By moving beyond individualistic approaches and acknowledging the significance of group interactions, researchers and practitioners can gain a more comprehensive understanding of infant sociability.

In conclusion, the appendix of “Babies in Groups” provides a rigorous evaluation of two prominent theories of infant sociability. It scrutinizes claims of innate intersubjectivity and challenges the notion of an attachment behavioural system centred around a mother-figure. By presenting evidence that counters these theories, the appendix highlights the limitations of these perspectives and calls for a broader understanding of infant sociability that incorporates the importance of groupness. These evaluations prompt a critical examination of existing frameworks and invite researchers and practitioners to explore new avenues of inquiry that recognize the complex and multifaceted nature of infants’ social interactions.