The proposed research will study the development of motion sensitive mechanisms in the human visual system over the first five postnatal months. Motion sensitivity will be isolated from position sensitivity using a psychophysical technique first employed by Nakayama and Tyler (1981) to isolate such mechanisms in adults. Transverse standing wave oscillation of thin lines at low temporal frequencies is used to isolate motion sensitive mechanisms. Converging evidence will be obtained using both angularly rotating lines and traveling waves. These experiments provide point predictions for discriminating between detection by motion sensitive versus position sensitive mechanisms. Several of the experiments also examine evidence for the aperture problem in the infant's visual system. The experiments will provide normative data on motion sensitivity and its development during early postnatal life.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01HD023247-05
Application #
3323318
Study Section
Visual Sciences B Study Section (VISB)
Project Start
1987-08-01
Project End
1994-07-31
Budget Start
1991-08-01
Budget End
1992-07-31
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
1991
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Wisconsin Madison
Department
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
161202122
City
Madison
State
WI
Country
United States
Zip Code
53715
Dannemiller, J L (1998) Temporal modulation enhances the efficiency of spatial offset discriminations by 6-month-olds. Vision Res 38:2127-34
Roessler, J S; Dannemiller, J L (1997) Changes in human infants' sensitivity to slow displacements over the first 6 months. Vision Res 37:417-23
Nagata, Y; Dannemiller, J L (1996) The selectivity of motion-driven visual attention in infants. Child Dev 67:2608-20
Dannemiller, J L; Freedland, R L (1993) Motion-based detection by 14-week-old infants. Vision Res 33:657-64
Dannemiller, J L; Freedland, R L (1989) The detection of slow stimulus movement in 2- to 5-month-olds. J Exp Child Psychol 47:337-55