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The contribution of visual and vestibular information to spatial orientation by 6‐ to 14‐month‐old infants and adults
Author(s) -
Gavin Bremner J.,
Hatton Fran,
Foster Kirsty A.,
Mason Uschi
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
developmental science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.801
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1467-7687
pISSN - 1363-755X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-7687.2011.01051.x
Subject(s) - psychology , vestibular system , orientation (vector space) , developmental psychology , spatial ability , audiology , cognitive psychology , visual perception , cognition , perception , neuroscience , medicine , mathematics , geometry
Although there is much research on infants’ ability to orient in space, little is known regarding the information they use to do so. This research uses a rotating room to evaluate the relative contribution of visual and vestibular information to location of a target following bodily rotation. Adults responded precisely on the basis of visual flow information. Seven‐month‐olds responded mostly on the basis of visual flow, whereas 9‐month‐olds responded mostly on the basis of vestibular information, and 12‐month‐olds responded mostly on the basis of visual information. Unlike adults, infants of all ages showed partial influence by both modalities. Additionally, 7‐month‐olds were capable of using vestibular information when there was no visual information for movement or stability, and 9‐month‐olds still relied on vestibular information when visual information was enhanced. These results are discussed in the context of neuroscientific evidence regarding visual–vestibular interaction, and in relation to possible changes in reliance on visual and vestibular information following acquisition of locomotion.