PUB TYPE Speeches/Conference Papers (150) Reports Descriptive-(141)

One distal, cognitive component of parenting is knowledge of infant development. This multifaceted construct includes principles of development. Generally, it has been assumed that knowledge of development affects childrearing practices; this assumption is documented in various bodies of literature and is evident in parent-education programs. Acquisition of parental knowledge may occur through exposure to sociocultural sources of information (such as the advice of experts, family, and friends) or through direct observation of infants and children. Research conducted with 256 mothers of 6-month-old ilnfants indicates that books, the family doctor, and the parents ' social network are the most important sources of information. Furthermore, such sociocultural influences appear to shape knowledge more powerfull