College
Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences
Date of Last Revision
2026-05-01 13:56:19
Major
Psychology
Honors Course
PSYCH 498-004
Number of Credits
2
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Date of Expected Graduation
Spring 2026
Abstract
This project reviews the impact of socioeconomic status (SES) on infant-directed speech (IDS) and examines potential interventions aimed at increasing the use of IDS. Existing research indicates that caregivers from higher-SES backgrounds tend to use more frequent and higher-quality IDS, including greater vocabulary diversity and more responsive interactions, compared to caregivers from lower-SES backgrounds. These differences are often influenced by factors such as parental stress, limited time, and access to resources. Understanding the differences in IDS is crucial to reducing disparities in language development. Findings from this review suggest that interventions such as increasing access to mental health services and high-quality childcare may support caregivers in using IDS more effectively, ultimately reducing disparities in language development outcomes.
Research Sponsor
Kevin Kaut
First Reader
Shannon Zentall
Second Reader
Lindsay Ibos
Honors Faculty Advisor
Kevin Kaut
Proprietary and/or Confidential Information
No
Community Engaged Scholarship
No
Recommended Citation
Flaker, Laura K., "A Systematic Review of Socioeconomic Status on Infant-Directed Speech" (2026). Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects. 2161.
https://ideaexchange.uakron.edu/honors_research_projects/2161