Mary 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 act of looking to a trusted caregiver for guidance in how to react to an unfamiliar or ambiguous situation. In this case, he is looking to Mary to see how he should react to the dog approaching the fence.

Mary Takes Care of Several Toddlers and Preschoolers While Their