Final answer:
The conversational interaction that involves a back-and-forth exchange between a parent and infant is known as turn-taking, a crucial element in language development. The correct answer is option A) Turn-taking.
Step-by-step explanation:
The pattern of conversational interaction between parent and infant that involves alternate sending and receiving of messages is referred to as turn-taking. This form of communication is essential for language development in infants and takes place even from an early age. Newborns show a preference for their mother's voice and are attuned to the languages around them.
As infants grow, they start to respond to these verbal cues by gesturing or making sounds, thereby engaging in turn-taking. While the American model emphasizes direct, face-to-face interaction often referred to as "motherese", other cultures may practice different methods of language socialization that do not rely on such direct engagement.
Nevertheless, through various forms of communication, infants learn not only language but also about the sociocultural life surrounding them.