Effects of training versus non-training in identification of infant cry-signals: a longitudinal study.

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 retest 10 wk. later, scores for the birth and hunger cry-signals improved significantly (p less than .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.