Abstract
The ability to discriminate the trajectories of moving objects is highly adaptive and fundamental for physical and social interactions. Therefore, we could reasonably expect sensitivity to different trajectories already at birth, as a precursor of later communicative and defensive abilities. To investigate this possibility, we measured newborns' looking behavior to evaluate their ability to discriminate between visual stimuli depicting motion along different trajectories happening within the space surrounding their body. Differently from previous studies, we did not take into account defensive reactions, which may not be elicited by impending collision as newborns might not categorize approaching stimuli as possible dangers. In two experiments, we showed that newborns display a spontaneous visual preference for trajectories directed toward their body. We found this visual preference when visual stimuli depicted motion in opposite directions (approaching vs. receding) as well as when they both moved toward the peripersonal space and differed only in their specific target (i.e., the body vs. the space around it). These findings suggest that at birth human infants seem to be already equipped with visual mechanisms predisposing them to perceive their presence in the environment and to adaptively focus their attention on the peripersonal space and their bodily self.
Highlights
The ability to discriminate the trajectories of moving objects is highly adaptive and fundamental for physical and social interactions
In our design, the visual stimulus depicting an approaching and colliding trajectory was presented in both experiments, whereas the stimuli depicting the receding and the approaching but non-colliding trajectories were presented only in one experiment each
We wanted to verify that the looking time toward the approaching and colliding stimulus in the experiment presented as second was not influenced by the fact that the newborns had previously been exposed to the same visual stimulus
Summary
The ability to discriminate the trajectories of moving objects is highly adaptive and fundamental for physical and social interactions. Developmental studies have investigated the neural correlates of visual looming processing, with a particular focus on how infants’ brain processes timing information on the approach of a potentially dangerous visual stimulus (van der Meer, Svantesson, & van der Weel, 2012; van der Weel & van der Meer, 2009) These studies showed the presence of theta band event-related oscillations in the left visual cortex in response to looming stimuli and the existence, at 10 and 11 months, of a well-established neural network for processing impending collision (van der Weel & van der Meer, 2009). In light of the absence of avoidant behaviors in 1- and 2month-old infants, Yonas and colleagues concluded that these young infants do not show sensitivity to visual information specifying impending collision
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
