Processes of visual self‐recognition in infants: experimental induction of ‘mirror’ experience via video self‐image presentation

Abstract

AbstractThis study investigates infants' (ages 15–28 months) performance on two visual self‐recognition measures: using a video‐screen as a mirror‐like medium to locate objects not seen directly, and locating a mark on the face after seeing it in the mirror‐like medium. Infants experienced one of two training conditions on the video‐screen: they watched their parents and the parents' reflected images or they watched themselves. The study aims to find evidence for the view that object‐locating and mark‐directed behaviour in self‐image presentation are in different ways experience‐dependent. Contingency experience influenced the ability to locate objects, but did not influence mark‐directed behaviour in a marked‐face (rouge) condition. Also, children with a higher level of object‐permanence understanding scored better on object‐localization, while level of object‐permanence understanding was unrelated to mark‐directed behaviour in the rouge condition. The findings suggest that mark‐ and object‐locating conditions follow a different developmental course. Search behaviour in this paradigm is also discussed with regard to experiential elements, perceptual cues and representational skills. The locating of mirrored objects may be a good paradigm for studying sensorimotor information processing, without being necessarily used as an indicator of self‐awareness. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.