Gibson And Walk Flashcards
Aim
To investigate if young animals and children were able to perceive depth innately on the visual cliff
Participants Gib+Walk
36 babies between 6 and 14 months (all could crawl)
Method gib+walk
Visual cliff apparatus - table with glass and an apparent drop
Baby placed on the centre of the visual cliff
Mother stood at either deep or shallow end and calls for the baby
Results gib+walk
27/36 moved off the centre board
All of those 27 crossed the shallow side to their mother at least once
Only 3 crossed the deep side
Children would peep through the glass on the deep side and then back away
Some would test the glass for solidity
When mother was on the deep side most would crawl away or sit and cry
Conclusions gib+walk
The child could perceive depth by the time they could crawl
However they appeared not to be aware of the depth of the cliff edge as they inadvertently used glass on the deep side
By the time the children can crawl they have had months of interacting with the environment, so it’s hard to tell if the ability to perceive depth is innate or learnt
Gib+walk animal results
One day old chicks chose the shallow side nearly 100% of the time
At less than a day old goat kids and lambs would not step on the steep side of the cliff - they would refuse to put their feet down / go limp
4-week-old kittens had excellent depth perception and when placed on the deep side they either froze or circled backwards until they reached the centre board
Rats would go across the deep side if they could feel the glass with their whiskers, but not if they couldn’t
76% of turtles chose the shallow side - less reason for depth perception in their natural environment
BACKGROUND: Fantz
Preference technique - A researcher presents 2 stimuli to an infant simultaneously. Eye movement is monitored. If the baby looks at one stimulus over the other, then it is suggested to prefer it.
Preferred complex patterns to simple patterns
Preferred patterns that resemble a human face
