One-year-old Mathew observes his father behaving comfortably in the presence of a stranger. Seeing this, Mathew also stops being afraid of the stranger. This is an example of:

Question

One-year-old Mathew observes his father behaving comfortably in the presence of a stranger. Seeing this, Mathew also stops being afraid of the stranger. This is an example of:​

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Mathew’s behavior of observing his father’s reactions and using them to guide his own behavior is an example of social referencing. Social referencing is the process of using cues from others, particularly parents or caregivers, to evaluate and adjust one’s own behavior, emotions, and attitudes in ambiguous situations. In this case, Mathew observes his father's behavior to determine if the stranger poses a threat or not, and adjusts his own behavior accordingly. This is a normal part of social and emotional development in infants and young children.

One-Year-Old Mathew Observes His Father Behaving Comfortably in the Presence