Emotional expression in infants' interactions with their mirror images: an exploratory study

Abstract

Many studies in psychology assume that infants cannot interact with their mirror images before 24 months of age. Innate intersubjectivity theory seeks to explain that infants are born with an ability to share meanings and emotions and to recognize differences between self and other since birth. According to that theory, infants are able to engage in interactions with significant others from birth. Researchers on mother–infant interactions acknowledge those interactive abilities, but very few studies have dealt with infants interacting with peers. In this small‐scale exploratory study, infants (6‐ to 9‐month‐olds), boys and girls, were observed interacting with their mirror images, and their emotional expressions were coded, according to an extensive behavioural, functional, negotiatory and emotional coding system. Analysis showed that girls appear to show a broader array of emotional expressions than boys, although boys seem to interact more with their mirror images. A number of self‐exploratory behaviours were also coded, which could be an indication of the presence of self‐awareness before 1 year.