Effects of Training versus Non-Training in Identification of Infant Cry-Signals: A Longitudinal Study

Abstract

The effects of training on the ability to identify 4 infants' cry-signals (birth, hunger, pain, and pleasure) were studied in 60 college students (aged 18 to 30 yr.)- Subjects with training scored significantly higher than those without in identifying all but the pleasure cry-signal. In a follow-up retesr 10 wk. later, scores for the birth and hunger cry-signals improved significantly ( p < .05) for subjects without training, while scores for subjects with training remained about the same. The suggestion that repeated exposure to cry-signals may serve as training was discussed.