The myth of universal sensitive responsiveness: comment on Mesman et al., (2017)

This paper considers claims of Mesman et al. (2017) that sensitive responsiveness in caregiving, while not uniformly expressed across cultural contexts, is nonetheless universal. Evidence presented demonstrates that none of the sensitivity components (i.e., which partner takes the lead, whose point of view is primary, and the turn-taking structure of interactions) or maternal warmth are universal. Mesman and colleagues’ proposal that sensitivity is ‘providing for infant needs’ is critiqued. Constructs concerning caregiver quality must be embedded within a nexus of cultural logic, including caregiving practices, based on ecologically-valid child-rearing values and beliefs. Sensitivity, as defined by Mesman and Attachment theorists, is not universal. Attachment theory and cultural, cross-cultural psychology are not built on common ground.