Tactile discrimination of shape and intermodal transfer in 2‐ to 3‐month‐old infants

Abstract

The aim of this study is to discover whether there is intermodal transfer of shape from touch to vision and vice versa in 2‐ to 3‐month‐old infants who are not yet capable of reaching out to visually specified objects. In the first experiment, a habituation procedure was used for each mode, with two samples of 32 children. Habituation and discrimination were found in the tactile and visual modes, and total exploration time was identical for the two modes. In the second experiment, the 32 children were made familiar with an object in either the visual or the tactile mode, and then two tests were carried out using (1) the same or (2) a different object. If transfer does occur, exploration time for the familiar object presented in the new mode should be less than that required for a new object presented in the new mode. Also, the infants should recognize the familiar object when it is presented to them in the familiar mode. In addition, intramodal discrimination should occur after successive presentations in different modes. Intermodal transfer from touch to vision but not from vision to touch did occur. Comparison with data obtained in 4/5‐month‐old children provides the basis for discussion of these findings.

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