title: The contribution of visual and vestibular information to spatial orientation by 6- to 14-month-old infants and adults.
abstract: 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.
authors: Psychology Department, Lancaster University, UK. j.g.bremner@lancaster.ac.uk
authors: J Gavin
authors: JG
authors: Bremner
authors: Fran
authors: F
authors: Hatton
authors: Kirsty A
authors: KA
authors: Foster
authors: Uschi
authors: U
authors: Mason
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement; D009949:Orientation; D012399:Rotation; D013028:Space Perception; D013037:Spatial Behavior; D014722:Vestibule, Labyrinth / Q000502:physiology*; D014796:Visual Perception