UMass Boston

The purpose of this research study is to observe differences in babies’ reactions to the Still-Face.  From social neuroscientists and developmental psychologists to infant and child mental health practitioners, there is general agreement that a developing infants’ social experience over the course of development affects most aspects of their functioning. In order to  help us understand how your baby reacts to this social event we will look at measures such as changes in your infant’s heart rate, respiration, and skin conductance and changes in hormones found in your infant’s saliva.  These hormones are naturally occurring substances in the body that change with time of day and excitement level.