Raising Good Humans Ep 37: The Power of Discord with renowned developmental psychologist Edward Tronick, PhD
Apr 3, 2020
Renowned developmental psychologist Edward Tronick, PhD, known for his influential work on emotional connections, dives into the striking findings of child development. He discusses the still face experiment, illuminating the deep emotional ties between infants and their caregivers. Tronick also explores how temporary disconnections in relationships can foster resilience and emotional learning. By challenging notions of parental perfectionism, he emphasizes that navigating and repairing emotional bonds is crucial for healthy relationships.
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Still Face Experiment Reaction
- In the still face experiment, babies react with sadness and attempts to re-engage when their mother stops interacting.
- One baby even lost postural control but kept trying to reconnect with half smiles, showing deep engagement.
Powerful Feelings of Abandonment
- Adults watching the still face experiment feel helpless and confronted by feelings of abandonment.
- It reveals a fundamental human need for connection and recognition by others.
Matching and Mismatching in Interaction
- Parent-infant interactions involve ongoing cycles of matching and mismatching, not perfect synchrony.
- These mismatches followed by repair help infants develop trust, emotional control, and resilience.