Development & Learning Kimberley Clow Office Hours: Mon 10am-12pm
Outline Development Development of the Visual System Methodologies Different Perceptual Developments Beyond Vision Experience Deprivational Effects Critical Periods Restored Vision
Visual System Develops
Retinal Development
Acuity
Contrast Sensitivity
Developmental Differences
Colour 1 Week 2 Months
Other Eye Developments Eye Movements Saccades Smooth Pursuit Accommodation Near-Sighted
Infants are born with astigmatism
Methodologies Unlearned Responses eye movements (fixation and scanning) reflex responses (startle, avoidance) preferential looking Learned Responses habituation Infant Psychophysics Forced-choice preferential looking Topic Specific
Fixation & Scanning
Age Differences
Face Perception
Reflex Responses
Preferential Looking
What Do They Prefer?
When Paired
Habituation
Forced-Choice Preferential Looking
Form Perception
Perception of Motion
Depth Perception
Monocular Depth Cues
Stereoscopic Depth Perception
Overview
Not Just Vision
Experience
The Oblique Effect Poorer Acuity
Anomalous Early Experience Naturally occurring conditions that can interfere with normal vision Cataracts Strabismus Astigmatism Major Consequences are Amblyopia Stereoblindness
Strabismus Esotropia Exotropia
Consequences
Astigmatism Goggle RearingCylinder Rearing
Results No Astigmatism
Monocular Deprivation Experience with just one eye
Results
Normal Vision Deprived Vision
Binocular Deprivation
What’s Going On? Normal cells compete for synaptic contact End up getting equal shares When a deprivation occurs (naturally, temporarily, or otherwise), there is no competition Loses its share of cortical space Cortical neuron
Critical Periods When these deprivations occur is important Early in life Can be reversed if corrected soon enough Examples Cataracts must be corrected within 5 months Astigmatisms must be corrected within 2 years Stereopsis requires retinal disparity from 3 ½-6 months
Perceptual-Motor Development
Adapting to Displaced Vision
Restored Vision Molyneux asked whether a man born blind who had his sight restored later in life would recognise by sight an object that he had previously only known by touch Nativists say “yes”; Empiricists say “no” Several studies have examined this question What does research say…
The Case of SB Elephant
Immediate 3 months 6 months