Infancy research methods

Presents four basic methods that have been developed to study the visual and auditory perceptual capabilities of human infants ranging in age from one month to one year. The methods focus upon a variety of overt responses that can be elicited from a subject who cannot be instructed to perform specific tasks. The four methods covered--preference, habituation, eye movements, and conditioning--each allow the experimenter certain glimpses at an infant's capabilities. Explains that each method has certain interpretive limitations and that a combination of methods is the most useful strategy., Presents four basic methods that have been developed to study the visual and auditory perceptual capabilities of human infants ranging in age from one month to one year. The methods focus upon a variety of overt responses that can be elicited from a subject who cannot be instructed to perform specific tasks. The four methods covered--preference, habituation, eye movements, and conditioning--each allow the experimenter certain glimpses at an infant's capabilities. Explains that each method has certain interpretive limitations and that a combination of methods is the most useful strategy.