Reference frame and haptic discrimination of orientations in infants.
Body-tilt effect on the haptic discrimination of orientations and the 'oblique effect' (better discrimination of the vertical orientation than of an oblique orientation) were examined in 5-month-old infants. Body tilt leads to a mismatch between egocentric and gravitational reference frames and indicates in which reference frame orientations and oblique effect are defined. A familiarization/reaction to novelty procedure was used in upright body and tilted body conditions. Results revealed the occurrence of a haptic oblique effect in the upright body position, which disappeared when the body was tilted. The results suggest that spatial orientations and the oblique effect depend on a mixed reference frame that integrates not only gravitational information but also egocentric information.
Kerzerho
Stéphanie
S
Laboratory Cognition and Development, Université René-Descartes, Boulogne-Billancourt Cedex, France.
Streri
Arlette
A
Gentaz
Edouard
E
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D004193:Discrimination Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D004192:Discrimination, Psychological / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007699:Kinesthesis; D008297:Male; D009949:Orientation / Q000502:physiology*; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology; D011601:Psychophysics; D012016:Reference Values; D013028:Space Perception / Q000502:physiology*