Four-month-olds' discrimination of optic flow patterns depicting different directions of observer motion

Rick O. Gilmore, Heather J. Rettke

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

22 Scopus citations

Abstract

One of the most powerful sources of information about spatial relationships available to mobile organisms is the pattern of visual motion called optic flow. Despite its importance for spatial perception and for guiding locomotion, very little is known about how the ability to perceive one's direction of motion, or heading, from optic flow develops early in life. In this article, we report the results of 3 experiments that tested the abilities of 4-month-old infants to discriminate optic flow patterns simulating different directions of self-motion. The combined results from 2 different experimental paradigms suggest that 4-month-olds discriminate optic flow patterns that simulate only large (> 32°) changes in the direction of the observer's motion through space. This suggests that prior to the onset of locomotion, there are limitations on infants' abilities to process patterns of optic flow related to self-motion.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)177-200
Number of pages24
JournalInfancy
Volume4
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 2003

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Developmental and Educational Psychology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Four-month-olds' discrimination of optic flow patterns depicting different directions of observer motion'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this