At the park, 20-month-old Etan crawls through tunnels, throws sand everywhere, and lets a dog lick his face. But as he moves from one activity to another, he looks over his shoulder to see whether his father is watching. What is the name for Etan's behavior?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Etan's behavior of looking over his shoulder to see whether his father is watching is an example of social referencing, which is when infants and young children look to their caregivers for guidance and reassurance in uncertain situations. Etan is using his father's facial expressions and body language to determine whether his actions are appropriate or safe.

At the Park, 20-Month-Old Etan Crawls Through Tunnels, Throws Sand