ABSTRACT
A theory has recently been advanced which proposes that the development autobiographical recollection is shaped by a child's participation in discussions of events with adults (e.g. Nelson, 1988; Snow, 1990). A logical prediction of the theory is that demographic factors related to the nature of linguistic environments might be associated with differences in the development of autobiographical recollection. Four questionnaire studies that test this prediction are presented. The results, on a total of 768 subjects, show that the age of earliest memory increases across birth order, is slightly earlier for females than for males, and is earlier for Caucasians than for Asians. These findings are discussed in light of previous research showing that parents interact and talk more with first-borns and with girls, and in light of differences between Western and Asian cultures in socialization goals and the significance of autobiography in the development of self-concept.
Subject(s)
Birth Order , Language Development , Mental Recall , Self Concept , Adult , Child, Preschool , Family Characteristics , Female , Humans , Male , Social EnvironmentABSTRACT
Maternal and infant behavior during feeding was assessed in 30 mother-infant dyads: 15 small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants (birth weights below the 10th percentile) and 15 appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) infants (birth weights between the 25th and 90th percentiles). The groups were balanced for gestational age, sex, neonatal risk factors, and maternal age, parity, socioeconomic status, and race. Behaviors indicative of infant feeding difficulties were coded for mother and infant. The SGA mothers had higher frequencies of these behaviors than did their AGA counterparts. Qualitative ratings of interactive behavior were recorded for mother and infant: SGA infants had ratings indicative of less optimal interactions than those of the AGA group. Infant caloric intake (calories per kilogram per feeding) was calculated by first dividing the change in infant weight in grams before feeding and immediately after feeding by the infant's weight before feeding and then converting it to calories. Although no difference in caloric intake was observed between the two groups, infant behaviors and ratings were associated with caloric intake. These data suggest the importance of including neonatal behavior during feeding in the risk assessment of potential growth failure in SGA infants.
