ERIC Number: EJ840312
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2005
Pages: 20
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1525-0008
EISSN: N/A
Infant Manual Exploration of Objects, Surfaces, and their Interrelations
Bourgeois, Kristine S.; Khawar, Alexa W.; Neal, S. Ashley; Lockman, Jeffrey J.
Infancy, v8 n3 p233-252 2005
Although a considerable amount is known about the development of object manipulation during the 1st year, less is known about how infants manually explore surfaces and relate objects to surfaces. To address these issues, 60 infants (20 each at 6, 8, and 10 months of age) were presented hard and soft objects on tabletop surfaces, which varied in terms of their material properties. Tabletop surfaces were either liquid, discontinuous, flexible, or rigid. Results indicated that infants explored the objects, surfaces, and their interactions selectively, tailoring their manual actions to the material properties of the objects or surfaces. In some instances, selectivity increased with age. The implications of these findings for understanding the origins of problem solving and tool use are considered. (Contains 1 footnote, 1 table, and 3 figures.)
Descriptors: Object Manipulation, Infants, Tactual Perception, Stimuli, Child Development, Developmental Stages, Age Differences, Interaction, Problem Solving, Cognitive Development
Psychology Press. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 325 Chestnut Street Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Fax: 215-625-2940; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A