Infant intentionality as object directedness: A method for observation*

Abstract

It is argued that a definition of intentionality in terms of object directedness is more adequate than the traditional definition in terms of goal directedness. Inconsistencies in the use of "intentionality" among infant researchers are pointed out. A method of observation is explored, based on the definition in terms of behavioral object directedness, that takes into account precursors to fully-fledged intentional actions by approaching intentionality as a matter of degree rather than as an all or none issue. The method, when used on longitudinal video recordings of parent-infant interaction, produced results that substantiated Trevarthen's observations of infant intentionality before the age of six months. Furthermore, the results suggest that the parent's attribution of intentions to the infant is based on the perception of the infant's intentionality, whether in social interaction or in interaction with "physical" objects.

Maternal interpretations of infant intentionality: Changes over the course of infant development

“…Converging evidence of such a shift can be found in Vedeler's (1994) results. His methods differed considerably from those used in the present study, in that he assessed the spontaneous comments of parents during naturalistic play interactions with their infants.…”

“…Such current concerns may (re)shape maternal interpretations, making mothers less sensitive to the nuances of more established infant behaviours and more 'tuned in' to the emerging ones. This is the explanation proposed by Vedeler (1994). He, of course, considered infant behaviour at several different ages, thus incorporating the emergence of new behaviours in his design.…”

“…Studies on maternal interpretations of infant behaviour rarely differentiate between primiparous and multiparous women (e.g. Adamson Penman et al, 1983;Vedeler, 1994), but it is certainly reasonable that a mother's behaviour and beliefs should be influenced by her previous experience with infants. To control for that possibility, participation in the present study was restricted to women who were first-time mothers.…”

“…Because such statements are phrased in intentional terms, it has been presumed that this wording reflects mothers' beliefs (e.g. Kaye, 1982;Packer, 1983; Snow, 1977;Vedeler, 1994). Effectively, mothers' linguistic statements are treated as equivalent to their beliefs.…”

Origins of joint visual attention in infancy1

“…Such early appearing forms of intentionality have been described by Vedeler (1994) as object-directed intentions. That is, the intended objects of action and interaction are in the physical and social environment: they are not the purely mental objects that are emphasized by traditional philosophy of mind and on which the theory of the intentional stance is based.…”