On Sun, 5 Sep 1999, Beth Benoit wrote:
(referring to a talk by T. Field on the importance of early
touching for violence prevention)
> So please, TIPSpersons, don't jump to too many
> conclusions about Tiffany Field's research based
> on my sketchy reporting.
>
> However...no matter your judgment of research
> considerations, what are your feelings about the
> subject?
OK, since the topic is now feelings I feel the need to fearlessly
comment:
My gut feeling says: no way I'd buy this. Psychology is littered with
discarded theories that this or that factor marks children for life,
and a child without it is somehow doomed to a life of dysfunction. A
current example is the claim that the Mozartless will become morons.
An older notable example was the claim that early "bonding" between
mother and child is essential for well-being. This claim has now been
thoroughly debunked and was based on questionable research in the
first place. But thousands of mothers believed it, causing much
unnecessary anxiety whether their babies were truly bonded, and even
birthing practices were altered to ensure that all-critical early
skin-to-skin contact. No one seemed to notice that adopted children
did just fine, although cruelly denied the opportunity for early
bonding.
Field's views on touching seem like recyled bonding theory. My view
(belief, guiding principle, philosophy) is that, on the contrary, no
short-lived experience in early childhood has the potential for
long-lasting effects on behaviour.
And while I know it's unfair I can't help but recall that Tiffany
Field was previously known for her research in support of Meltzoff and
Moore's claim that newborn babies can imitate facial expressions. That
claim, too, received wide publicity, and millions of tongues were
stuck out at millions of babies as a result (no less an authority than
Jean Piaget, when asked what he thought of this, replied "I think it's
very rude"). But for every study showing newborn imitation, there's
another showing a failure to find the effect. I don't buy this one
either.
So I'm gonna wait for the evidence.
-Stephen
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Stephen Black, Ph.D. tel: (819) 822-9600 ext 2470
Department of Psychology fax: (819) 822-9661
Bishop's University e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Lennoxville, QC
J1M 1Z7
Canada Department web page at http://www.ubishops.ca/ccc/div/soc/psy
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