Neurodevelopmental and racial differences in tactile-visual (cross-modal) discrimination in normal black and white...

Controversy exists as to when those functions associated with the left tertiary cortex become fully developed in children. To address this issue, neuropsychological development of tactile-visual (cross-modal) discrimination was assessed in 200 normal children aged 5 through 9 years. The factors of gender and race (black, white) were evaluated across this age span. A three-factor ANOVA revealed no gender differences, but significant main effects for age and race existed. There were no significant interactions. White children outperformed black children across all ages, and Sheffe's post-hoc comparisons revealed that, by age 7, children have mastered those basic cross-modal functions necessary for complex higher cognitive processes. The implications of these findings are discussed.