The Effects of Experimental Context and Experiential Background on Infants' Behavior toward Their Mothers and a Stranger

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Abstract
Social behaviors of 10 and 12 mo old infants were studied, using a structured observational technique, as a function of experimental context (home and laboratory) and experiential history (home rearing and day care). In the home, all infants exhibited more proximity-avoiding behavior of both the mother and a stranger; in the laboratory, infants exhibited more contact maintaining and proximity seeking of the stranger. The experimental context influenced infant social behaviors, particularly behaviors interpreted as reflecting an infant''s growing sense of independence. No differences attributable to rearing condition as a main effect were found; however, a significant rearing group .times. sex of infant interaction led to consideration of differential sensitivity of the sexes to rearing conditions.

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