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An action perspective on motor development.

Claes von Hofsten1

  • 1Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Box 1225, S-75142 Uppsala, Sweden. claes.von_hofsten@psyk.uu.se <claes.von_hofsten@psyk.uu.se>

Trends in Cognitive Sciences
|May 29, 2004
PubMed
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Motor development is central to child psychology, reflecting perception, planning, and motivation. Newborn movements are purposeful actions, not mere reflexes, demonstrating early agency and anticipation.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Motor Control
  • Cognitive Science

Background:

  • Traditional views often isolate motor development from cognitive and psychological aspects.
  • Emerging evidence highlights the active role of infants from birth.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To reframe motor development as a core component of child psychology.
  • To emphasize the purposeful and anticipatory nature of infant movements.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent converging evidence on infant motor behavior.
  • Analysis of infant movements from an action perspective.

Main Results:

  • Infant movements are goal-directed actions, not solely reflexes.
  • Motor development is intrinsically linked to perception, planning, and motivation.

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Conclusions:

  • Motor development is fundamental to understanding child psychology.
  • Infants are active agents from birth, with purposeful and anticipatory movements.