This paper describes a cross cultural study of face to face interactions between American and Gusii mothers and their infants. Observations of the Gusii people of Western Kenya suggest that the direct expression of intense affect is de-emphasized through an avoidance of direct face to face interactions. The present study investigated (1) how and to what extent cultural goals would affect face-to-face mother-child interaction and (2) whether there would be universal or species specific aspects of this interaction. During videotaped sessions with 10 Gusii infants and their mothers the infant was placed in an infant seat and the mother was instructed to talk with or play with the baby and to get the baby's attention. Data were analyzed according to a system developed previously for similar American research studies. In the American research, seven clusters of interactive behaviors (termed monadic phases) had been defined and scaled according to degree of attention and positive to negative affect. Results indicated that these monadic phases were structurally similar across these two cultures. At another level, however, typical Gusii patterns emerged. These patterns appear to encourage a steady positive state of infant arousal. American mothers appear to encourage more variability in infant behavior. Results suggest that while the structure of the interactions is similar, the sequencing and timing varies, reflecting cultural differences in the mothers' shaping of infant behavior. (BD)