joint attention
attention overtly focused by two or more people on the same object, person, or action at the same time, with each being aware of the other’s interest. Joint attention is an important developmental tool. Infants of around 9 months old can follow their parents’ gaze and begin to imitate what their parents do. By thus focusing attention on an object as well as on the adult’s reaction to it, children can learn about the world. This technique is also used in primate studies (see enculturation). Also called shared attention.