Adults’ Reactions to infant cry and laugh: A multilevel study

Abstract

Starting from the assumption that caregiving behaviours are regulated at different levels, the aim of the present paper was to investigate adults’ reaction to salient infant cues by means of a multilevel approach. To this aim, psychophysiological responses (Heart Rate Variability), implicit associations (SC-IAT-A), and explicit attitudes (semantic differential) toward salient infant cues were measured on a sample of 25 non-parents adults (14 females, 11 males). Moreover, the trait anxiety and the individual noise sensitivity were considered as controlling factors. Results showed that adults’ responses were moderated by the specific measure considered, and that responses at the different levels were only partially consistent. Theoretical and practical implications were discussed.