Texture density and normal development of visual depth avoidance.

Abstract

AbstractKittens, dutch‐belted rabbits, and albino rabbits were tested daily after eye opening for development of a reliable avoidance response on the visual cliff under varying conditions of texture density of elements comprising the checkerboard patterns of deep and shallow surfaces. Depth avoidance was demonstrated at an earlier age when coarse (34° to 18° retinal angle) rather than fine (2° or less of retinal angle) elements comprising shallow and deep surfaces were available to the subject. Visually guided placing to surfaces (in cats) developed after onset of visual cliff depth avoidance when coarse texture elements, but not when fine texture elements were used. Differences in onset of depth‐avoidance responding under different conditions of texture density across species as well as non‐coincidence of onset of visual placing with depth avoidance in cats indicated that changes in texture‐processing abilities with age and as a function of species characteristics interact with developing visual‐motor responding. The results were interpreted relative to organismic development of texture‐processing systems affecting degree of degradation of primary visual input during development. The importance of texture‐derived afferent information on development of visual‐motor behaviors was discussed.