The relationship between mother/infant contact and later differentiation of the social environment

Journal of Genetic Psychology • Vol/Iss. 121 • Published In 1972 • Pages: 107-117 •

By Zern, David

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between mother absence in child rearing and kinship terminology, particularly the differentiation of daughters and nieces. A significant association is found and the author offers theories of causality in both directions.

Samples
Sample Used	Coded Data	Comment
HRAF Collection of Ethnography (paper/fiche)
Other
Ethnographic Reports

Hypotheses (2)
Hypothesis	Supported
"[In] societies where there was low constancy of presence of the nurturant agent, there was no separate name for the mother. . . . [Societies] where there was high constancy of presence of the nurturant agent . . . had a separate name for the mother" (112)	Supported
"There is a strong tendency . . . for some social objects (nieces and daughters) to be undifferentiated by the culture's language, where child rearing practices typically keep the mother and child in close contact. Conversely, where early separation does occur, greater linguistic discrimination is the rule" (114)	Supported

Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: mas Amelia Piazza

The relationship between mother/infant contact and later differentiation of the social environment

Journal of Genetic Psychology • Vol/Iss. 121 • Published In 1972 • Pages: 107-117 • Cite

By Zern, David

Abstract

Samples

Hypotheses (2)

Journal of Genetic Psychology • Vol/Iss. 121 • Published In 1972 • Pages: 107-117 •