Asymmetries in infant cross-modal transfer.
3 groups of 12-month-olds were tested for cross-modal and intramodal transfer of information about shape. Infants were given either visual (V) or tactual (T) familiarization and then tested for visual recognition (V-V, T-V) or tactual recognition (T-T, V-T). Transfer was tested after either 15, 30, or 60 sec familiarization. Overall, intramodal transfer was superior to cross-modal transfer. Whereas the V-V condition was easiest of all, the T-T condition proved easier than V-T cross-modal transfer, although it was no more difficult than T-V transfer; cross-modal asymmetries appeared, with T-V easier than V-T. The asymmetry in cross-modal transfer could not be explained by intramodal factors. Possible bases for cross-modal asymmetries were discussed.
Rose F. Kennedy Center for Research in Human Development and Mental Retardation, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461.
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D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual / Q000502:physiology*; D002666:Psychology, Child; D011897:Random Allocation; D014110:Touch / Q000502:physiology*