Biological and Social Determinants of Responsiveness to Infants in 10-to-15-Year-Old Girls 1

Subjects filled out questionnaires and were individually observed interacting with an 8-to-12-month-old infant in a waiting room. Hidden observers recorded the frequency of ignoring, responsiveness to infant bids, and of social bids to the infant. Analyses revealed that oMer girls ignored more, made fewer bids, and responded less than younger girls did. IIowever, chronological age was highly correlated with measures o f biological and social maturity. Multiple regression analyses were used to determine which o f these factors best predicted the developmental decline in baby responsiveness. Multiple regressions showed that social maturity was the best predictor o f the number o f bids to the infant, .followed by the development o f secondary sex characteristics and menarcheal status {R = .44). Social maturity, babysitting experience, and menarcheal status were the significant predictors o f ignoring (R = .48j, while menarcheal status,