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Operant conditioning of the visual smooth pursuit in young infants

J C Darcheville1, L Madelain1, C Buquet2

  • 1Labacolil, Université de Lille III, B.P. 149, 59653 Villeneuve d'ascq Cedex, France.

Behavioural Processes
|June 5, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Infant visual tracking, a form of operant behavior, can be improved at birth through environmental feedback. This challenges the idea that only maturation limits early visual pursuit skills.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Neuroscience
  • Oculomotor Control

Background:

  • Smooth pursuit eye movements are not fully functional at birth.
  • Immaturity of visuo-motor systems is the traditional explanation for this limitation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if visual tracking in infants is an operant behavior.
  • To explore if environmental contingencies can enhance early visual pursuit.

Main Methods:

  • Infants' oculomotor responses were linked to auditory stimuli.
  • Control groups received random music or no auditory stimulus.

Main Results:

  • Infants whose eye movements produced auditory feedback improved their pursuit.
  • Control groups showed no improvement in smooth pursuit.

Conclusions:

  • Visual tracking demonstrates characteristics of operant behavior.
  • Early visual pursuit can be enhanced at birth through contingent environmental interactions.

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