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Lifting weights in neonates: developing visual control of reaching

A L van der Meer1, F R van der Weel, D N Lee

  • 1Idrettsvitenskapelig Institutt, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.

Scandinavian Journal of Psychology
|December 1, 1996
PubMed
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Newborn babies use visual feedback to control arm movements and compensate for external forces. This suggests their spontaneous arm-waving is purposeful, not just reflexive.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Neuroscience
  • Motor Control

Background:

  • Neonatal limb movements are often considered reflexive or purposeless.
  • Limited understanding exists regarding early visual-motor integration in newborns.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if newborns adjust arm movements based on external forces.
  • To determine the role of visual feedback in neonatal motor control.

Main Methods:

  • Measuring spontaneous arm movements in infants under varying conditions of external weight.
  • Utilizing visual occlusion and video monitoring to assess the impact of sight on compensatory movements.

Main Results:

  • Newborns applied compensatory forces to stabilize the visually perceived hand against external weights.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Visual occlusion led to a loss of compensatory movement.
  • Viewing the contralateral arm via video monitor enabled compensation for weights.

    • Conclusions:

    • Neonatal arm movements are not solely reflexive but demonstrate purposeful, visually guided control.
    • These findings challenge traditional views of spontaneous neonatal movements.
    • Newborns appear to be developing visual control for reaching behaviors early in life.