Baillargeon's Early Infant Abilities AO3

Question 1

What are the strengths of Baillargeon’s Early Infant Abilities?

Answer 1

it is supported by other research
* Pei et al’s study
* Hespo and Van Marle’s study

Question 2

What are the weaknesses of Baillargeon’s Early Infant Abilities?

Question 3

Explain Pei et al’s study.

Answer 3

he found that infants are able to judge distance froma young age but developes to become more sophisticated with time
this suggests that the physical reasoning system is innate

Question 4

Explain Hespo and Van Marle’s study/view.

Answer 4

• there are many examples that show infantile undestandings is innate
• when a child plays with toys on a table they will understand that it will stay there and then when they let it fall on the floor they understand it will do so
• this is supported by Hespo and Van Marley who says “core principles of these domains…are present early…and the nature of the underlying representation is best characterised as primitive”