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The development of anticipatory hand orientation during infancy
Journal of Experimental Child Psychology
|February 1, 1984
Summary
Nine-month-old infants adjust their hand orientation before touching objects, unlike five-month-olds. This developmental milestone in infant reaching behavior shows improved visual control of prehensile actions.
Area of Science:
- Developmental psychology
- Motor control
- Infant behavior
Background:
- Infants develop sophisticated motor skills early in life.
- Understanding object orientation is crucial for effective grasping.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the developmental trajectory of infants' prehensile adjustments.
- To determine the age at which infants visually guide hand orientation during reaching.
Main Methods:
- Five- and nine-month-old infants were presented with horizontally and vertically oriented dowels.
- Hand orientation during the reach was analyzed to assess anticipatory adjustments.
Main Results:
- Nine-month-olds rotated their hands appropriately before tactile contact.
- Five-month-olds primarily adjusted hand orientation after making contact.
- No significant practice or fatigue effects were observed.
Conclusions:
- Nine months is a critical age for the development of visually guided prehensile behavior.
- This study highlights the maturation of visual control over reaching and grasping in infants.