This study examined the interaction between infant behavior and maternal ethnocentric attitudes and expectations. The ethnomethodological approach used in this study was guided by the assumption that it is essential for an investigator to consider the broad cultural context in which behavior is studied. The behavior of 80 African-American neonates within 2 or 3 days of birth was assessed by means of the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (BNBAS). A second assessment was made at 1 month. At each of these times, the Developmental Milestones Survey, created for this study, was used to assess mothers' expectations for their infants' attainment of developmental milestones. Results indicated that 1-month-old infants had improved their orientation and heightened their motor performance. However, state regulation had decreased. Infants in this study showed higher levels of performance in most BNBAS clusters than infants in an earlier study. Maternal responses were scored as either within or outside the expected developmental range. More within-range responses were given for motor items than for cognitive items. A reference list of 23 items is included. (BC)