Topic 3: Perceptual Development Evaluation Flashcards
What makes the measure of depth perception a reliable test?
It is safe and reliable.
How does controlling other senses improve the validity of depth perception tests?
It eliminates the influence of other senses, ensuring the test measures depth perception accurately.
What is an extraneous variable (EV) that can introduce bias in depth perception research?
Non-verbal cues, such as the tone of the mother’s voice
Why is it difficult to infer reasons for behavior in infants and animals?
Because they cannot communicate their thoughts, making interpretations more challenging.
What ethical principles were followed in depth perception studies?
Mothers gave consent, no deception, and confidentiality was maintained.
What ethical concerns arise from studies like Gibson and Walk’s?
Methods can be intrusive, causing stress to babies.
Why is using animals in sensory deprivation studies ethically problematic?
It causes suffering, and due to differences between animals and humans, the findings may not be justifiable.
What are the four key principles of animal ethics in research?
Replacement, Reduction, Animal Care, and Cost-benefit analysis.
What does ‘Replacement’ mean in animal research ethics?
Using alternatives to animals whenever possible.
How can researchers apply ‘Reduction’ in animal studies?
By limiting the number of animals used in experiments.
What does ‘Animal Care’ involve in research settings?
Ensuring animals have proper food, habitat, and living conditions.
What is the purpose of a cost-benefit analysis in animal research?
To weigh the potential benefits of the research against the ethical costs of animal suffering.
How has research from infant and animal studies been useful?
It has provided a timeline for visual perception to make it easier to track ‘normal’ development in young children.
What has the findings from this research from infant and animal studies helped to do?
It has helped parents and professionals identify abnormalities within perceptual development.
Why is understanding abnormalities importnat?
To help treat conditions with corrective aids (e.g. glasses) and develop compensatory strategies (e.g. braille)
In what area is further research required and why?
Into the effectivness of SI Therapy. Previous research suggests that it can be effective in improving motor function and moderating sensory difficulties but there is a lot of mixed evidence.
What suggests that there is a strong role for nature in infants?
Human infants are born equipped with a mostly functioning sensory system.
Why do most psychologists believe perceptual development is influenced by both nature and nurture?
Perception involves using systems to make sense of information and use the environment to respond accordingly which suggests that both are influential.
What does Sugita (2004)’s study show to emphasise the interaction of nature and nurture on perpection?
They study selective rearing and found that sensory abilities are present but without environmental stimulation, depth and colour perception could not develop.
How can the Gibson and Walk (1960) study be interpreted as evidence that depth perception is innate?
Participnats were so young that depth discrimination must be existing from birth.
How can the Gibson and Walk (1960) study be interpreted as evidence that depth perception supports both nature and nurture debates?
- Visual perception changes rapidly after birth so the crawling of the infants in the study would be influenced by their environmental experiences.
- Also, babies in the womb can sense some light and sound which suggests that newborns from the study are not always in control of the environmental influences.
How does perception fit into the determinism debate?
Perceptual abilities depend on the stimuli we sense, existing knowledge and expectations. Psychologists argue that these factors come from life experiences and determine perception.
What is an example of determinism in perceptual deveopment?
When looking at optical illusions, it can be hard to stopping seeing one a certain way. Our perceptual processes are not something we can turn off.
Why can research into perceptual development be considered holistic?
Most theories recognise as both nature and nurture being influences of perception.
What do psychologists in the area tend to look at and consider?
neuroanatomy, cognitive processes and environmental exposure.
Why can the SI therapy be considered a holistic strategy?
- Involves an assessment of the whole person by considering the child’s abilities and difficulties.
- The help that is given is tailored to the individual to improve overall function.
Why can research into perception be considered scientific?
This research tends to depend on lab based procedures and use objective measurements such as eye-tracking, heart-rate and gross movement.
Give an example of a researcher who was able to disprove or confirm hypotheses because of the scientific measurements.
Fantz (1963) controlled the environment and tested variables such as typical or scrambled faces.
