Crying Babies Michael Hoerger

Crying Introduction Crying is communication Reasons: Diaper, food, physical contact, boredom, hot/cold, gas, colic Age50 th Percentile95 th Percentile 0-3 months 2 hours6 hours 3-12 months1 hour3 hours

Behaviorist Principles Differential Reinforcement (or Differential Responsiveness) Systematic Ignoring Self-soothing Still respond to major needs Ignore minor fussing Reduces crying frequency

Difficulties Goal: Eliminate fussing Post-extinction response burst Fussing increases temporarily Frustrating for parent and child Storm before the calm

Context: When to Use This 3 months: Ineffective 8 months: Effective Works with kids, parents, siblings, teachers, boyfriends, girlfriends Eliminate any behavior people use to get attention Discussion

Michael Hoerger To cite this lecture: Hoerger, M. (2007, January 24). Crying Babies. Presented at a PSY 220 lecture at Central Michigan University.