Contour density and pattern configuration in visual preferences of infants

Abstract

This study was designed to evaluate the relationship between contour density and pattern configuration variables in determining infant visual attention. Sixteen 5–6-week-olds and sixteen 8–10-week-olds were shown concentric circle (bull's-eye), radial line, concentric square, and checkerboard patterns at three levels of contour density. Both contour density and pattern configuration were found to influence visual preferences. In general, patterns having low contour density were preferred to those at higher contour density levels. There was also an interaction between age and contour density in pattern preferences. Young infants looked significantly longer at low density stimuli than high density stimuli. Old infants preferred intermediate over high density stimuli. Configuration effects were revealed by within age group analyses. In both young and old infants, duration of fixation was best described as an interaction between pattern configuration and contour density. Although there was no evidence for bull's-eye or other configuration preferences, the interaction between pattern configuration and contour density was interpreted as evidence that both young and old infants were capable of discriminating among pattern configurations. However, this discrimination was not independent of contour density. Thus, it was suggested that infants responded to compound characteristics of visual stimuli, and investigations of form perception in infancy should take this into account lest configuration preferences be masked or confounded by contour density effects.