Prediction in infants and adults: A pupillometry study

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Developmental Psychology
• Sensory Processing

Background:

• Adults utilize both sensory input and internal signals for prediction.
• Infants possess predictive abilities with simple stimuli, with early top-down processing suggested.
• The continuity of predictive abilities across the lifespan remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To directly compare prediction abilities in infants and adults.
• To investigate whether predictive capacity is continuous or differs quantitatively/qualitatively across age groups.
• To explore the role of top-down processing in infant prediction.

Main Methods:

• Pupillometry measured pupil dilation response (PDR) in 6-month-olds and adults.
• Participants completed an identical implicit learning task involving sound-picture associations.
• A Rescorla-Wagner computational model analyzed learning trajectories and prediction error.

Main Results:

• Both infants and adults exhibited larger PDR for visual omission trials (prediction violations) compared to visual present trials (predictions confirmed).
• Pupil dilation responses indicated significant prediction activity in both age groups.
• The computational model revealed similar learning trajectories, suggesting comparable learning mechanisms.

Conclusions:

• Predictive abilities, as measured by PDR, are continuous between 6-month-old infants and adults.
• The findings support a continuous capacity for prediction and learning throughout the lifespan.
• Top-down prediction mechanisms appear to be present early in development.