The proposed research is designed to analyze the processes underlying the changes in infant visual attention that occur as a function of experience with a stimulus. Preliminary studies show that at least two independent processes are involved: A memorial process controlling response decrements (habituation), and an arousal process controlling response increments (sensitization). In contrast to most previous work, which emphasized only the memorial process, the present project focuses on the sensitization process. One avenue of research will identify the stimulus determinants of the sensitization process. A technique called linear systems analysis is employed, which considers the """"""""fit"""""""" between the physical properties of the stimulus and the characteristics of the infant's visual system (as estimated from contrast sensitivity). The most sensitizing stimuli may be those that closely match the infant's perceptual capabilities. Another line of research will investigate the contribution of sensitization to visual attention of different aged infants. A relatively high level of sensitization could have as much to do with the slow rate of response decrement observed with very young infants as does any memorial deficit. Finally, the interaction between sensitization and learning processes will be studied. Sensitization prolongs visual fixation and may, therefore, lead to better encoding of visual pattern stimuli. If two (or more) processes modulate infant visual attention, then the interpretation of infant visual fixation data must be reconsidered: Change in visual attention reflect not only cognitive factors, but also sensory and motivational factors. Researchers interested in the clinical use of visual fixation data must take into account the multiple determining factors involved.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01HD019143-01A1
Application #
3316344
Study Section
Human Development and Aging Subcommittee 1 (HUD)
Project Start
1985-04-01
Project End
1988-03-31
Budget Start
1985-04-01
Budget End
1986-03-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
1985
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Colorado at Boulder
Department
Type
Graduate Schools
DUNS #
City
Boulder
State
CO
Country
United States
Zip Code
80309
Bieber, M L; Werner, J S; Knoblauch, K et al. (1998) M- and L-cones in early infancy: III. Comparison of genotypic and phenotypic markers of color vision in infants and adults. Vision Res 38:3293-7
Kaplan, P S; Zarlengo-Strouse, P; Kirk, L S et al. (1997) Selective and nonselective associations between speech segments and faces in human infants. Dev Psychol 33:990-9
Bieber, M L; Kaplan, P S; Rosier, E et al. (1997) Sensitizing properties of spectral lights in 4-month-old human infants. Dev Psychobiol 30:275-81
Peterzell, D H; Werner, J S; Kaplan, P S (1995) Individual differences in contrast sensitivity functions: longitudinal study of 4-, 6- and 8-month-old human infants. Vision Res 35:961-79
Bieber, M L; Volbrecht, V J; Werner, J S (1995) Spectral efficiency measured by heterochromatic flicker photometry is similar in human infants and adults. Vision Res 35:1385-92
Kaplan, P S; Goldstein, M H; Huckeby, E R et al. (1995) Habituation, sensitization, and infants' responses to motherese speech. Dev Psychobiol 28:45-57
Peterzell, D H (1993) Individual differences in the visual attention of human infants: further evidence for separate sensitization and habituation processes. Dev Psychobiol 26:207-18
Peterzell, D H; Werner, J S; Kaplan, P S (1993) Individual differences in contrast sensitivity functions: the first four months of life in humans. Vision Res 33:381-96
Kaplan, P S; Fox, K B; Huckeby, E R (1992) Faces as reinforcers: effects of pairing condition and facial expression. Dev Psychobiol 25:299-312
Werner, J S; Steele, V G (1988) Sensitivity of human foveal color mechanisms throughout the life span. J Opt Soc Am A 5:2122-30

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