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Follow-up Teleconference
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Applying Social Neuroscience
to Our Work with Young
Children and their Caregivers
Betty Rintoul, Ph.D.
The Social Brain


Neurons cannot exist in isolation – they can
exist only as part of a system
Human brains are designed to function as part
of a larger social network
Cozolino, 2006
Primary Attachment
Through Limbic Communication
Caregiver
Schore, 2001
Infant
Limbic Level Communication

Facial expression

Touch

Tone of voice

Music

Smell

Rocking, other rhythmic motion
Perceiving Other’s Emotions

Emotional reactions register on the face,
sometimes for only a fraction of a second

We can “read” these emotions without even
knowing it (subcortical level)

We use this information to gauge context of
communication

Some people are better at this than others
Ekman, 2003
Mirror Neurons

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Recent research indicates we have special
brain systems for identifying with others’
emotions and behaviors
Watching an activity or emotion registers in the
same part of the brain as actually experiencing
that action or emotion
Some believe that this is the biological basis
for imitation and empathy
Tuning In

Social Referencing
–

Joint Attention
–

Checking in with a caregiver for information on how
to feel or behave
Using eye contact and pointing for the purpose of
sharing experiences with others
These skills start to emerge during the first
year of life – evident by around 9 months
Carver & Vaccaro, 2007
Role of Experience

Repeated use strengthens brain connections

If connections are not used, they are more
likely to be “pruned” away

The brain “grows itself” for the environment it
experiences

Emotion and relationships appear to play
particularly important roles in shaping the
brain’s development
Attachment, Learning, and
Behavior
How Secure Attachment
Leads to Healthy
Development
Attachment as a Secure Base




Caregiver is attuned to child’s emotions (reads
and reflects them accurately)
Caregiver is source of positive emotion and
connection – share delight in one another
Caregiver responds to child’s bids for joint
attention – shares interest
Caregiver encourages child’s efforts to reach
out and explore
Attachment as a Safe Haven



Caregiver is sensitive to child’s distress when
comfort or reassurance is needed
Caregiver helps child return to comfort zone
when upset (helps organize feelings)
Caregiver is responsive to the child’s individual
temperament within this “explore and return"
cycle
Circle of Security
© Cooper, Hoffman, Marvin, & Powell, 2000
www.circleofsecurity.org
Stages of Development
Identity
Exploration
Security
Adapted from the Program for Infant/Toddler Caregivers; www.pitc.org
Positive Emotion
Why Feeling Good is
Good for You
Dealing with the Root
Emotion
>
Behavior
Negative Emotion
Survival
Fredrickson, 2001
Positive Emotion
Fredrickson, 2003

Flexibility

Creativity

Receptiveness
to others

LEARNING!
“Downloading” Emotional States
“How you are is as important as
what you do.”
Jeree Pawl, 1998