Gergely Et Al Study (socio, development)

Question 1

Aim

Answer 1

To see if infants simply re-enact behaviors or use rational thinking before acting.

Question 2

Procedure

Answer 2

• 14 month old infants watched an adult turn on a light with their forehead in one of two conditions
  
  1. Adult wrapped themselves in a blanket (hand occupied)
     2. Adult had hands on the table (hands free)
• Infants returned one week later, researchers presented infant with the light to see how they would turn it on

Question 3

Findings

Answer 3

• Over two thirds of children in “hands free” condition used their own foreheads to turn on the light (or
  attempt)
• Approximately 20% of children who observed hands preoccupied” condition used their forehead
• **Supports that infants were using ration thinking, when seeping someone perform the task with their head
  in “hands free” condition, they concluded there must be a reason that head was used
• Supports that infants can learn through imitation but does not account for the rationalization**

Question 4

Limitations

Answer 4

• Internal Validity

Question 5

Ethical Considerations

Answer 5

• Informed consent (required from parents)
• Protection from harm (sitting on parents lab
  during experiment, infants who were too fussy
  and upset were not used)

Question 6

Research method

Answer 6

• Lab Experiment