Mary Adams takes care of several toddlers and preschoolers while their parents work during the day. One warm spring day, she has the children in a fenced-in area behind her home. A large dog comes running up to the fence. As the dog approaches, 2-year-old Todd looks at Mary. When he sees that she appears frightened, he immediately starts to cry. What phenomenon is Todd displaying in this situation?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Todd is displaying social referencing, which is the process of looking to others to gauge how to react in unfamiliar or ambiguous situations. Seeing Mary's frightened expression, Todd uses her reaction as a cue for how he should feel and respond to the presence of the dog.

Mary Adams Takes Care of Several Toddlers and Preschoolers While