Roma is taking 12-month-old Steven for a walk when they encounter a small but frisky dog. Steven is initially uncertain as to how to respond and looks up into Roma's face to see her reaction to the small pooch. After Roma smiles and says, "Hi little doggy!", Steven smiles and vocalizes as well. This scenario illustrates the phenomenon known as

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Social referencing is the process by which infants look to their caregivers for cues about how to react to unfamiliar or ambiguous situations. In this scenario, Steven looks to Roma to gauge her reaction to the dog before he decides how to respond, which is a classic example of social referencing.

Roma Is Taking 12-Month-Old Steven for a Walk When They