Adaptive actions of young infants in the task of reaching for objects

Author(s)

Cicuto, Nelci Adriana ^[1] ; Rocha, Ferreira ^[1] ; de Campos, Ana Carolina ^[1] ; dos Santos Silva, Fernanda Pereira ^[1] ; Tudella, Eloisa ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Fed Univ Sao Carlos UFSCar, Dept Physiotherapy, Neuropediat Sect, BR-13565560 Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOBIOLOGY; v. 55, n. 3, p. 275-282, APR 2013.
• Web of Science Citations: 6

Abstract

Although several studies have investigated how movement trajectory and arm/hand configuration are adjusted to environmental affordances, the influence of specific object properties on early adjustments has not been studied. In this study, we aimed to determine the combined effect of object size and rigidity on reaching movements in young infants. Sixteen typically developing infants were assessed at 4, 5, and 6 months of age. The infants were presented with four objects: two soft and two rigid, which were either small or large. The results indicate that with age reaching movements became straighter, the arm control during the final phase was improved, and the grasping success increased. Object size and rigidity collectively influenced the proximal adjustments, grasping, adjustment time, and the number of movement units. The results suggest that early in the infants are able to modify their movement strategies based on object affordances. (c) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 55: 275282, 2013 (AU)