Development of stereo vision in young infants

In this study, infants' visual processing of depth-inducing stimuli was tested using a new method suitable for experimental settings. Stereograms of the Lang-Stereopad^® were presented in a timed preferential-looking paradigm to determine infants' preference for a stereogram as compared to a stimulus not inducing an impression of depth. A total of 80 infants were tested at 7 months of age; of these, a sub-sample of 41 infants were tested longitudinally at 4 and 7 months to characterize the developmental trajectory of their preference. Infants were simultaneously presented with a card showing a random-dot stereogram (800" disparity) and a similar looking dummy card without stereogram. In the total sample, 7-month-olds showed a clear preference for the stereogram regardless of sex. In the longitudinal sample, 7-month-olds but not 4-month-olds looked significantly longer to the stereogram as compared to the dummy card. On individual level, 56% of the 4-month-olds and 85% of the 7-month-olds predominantly looked at the stereogram. The findings yield evidence for a clear developmental progression and show that the test cards of the Lang-Stereopad^® prototype provide a viable instrument to determine the preference for depth-inducing stimuli in young infants when used in a controlled experimental setting.