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In 3 experiments, the author investigated 16- to 20-month-old infants' attention to dynamic and static parts in learning about self-propelled objects. In Experiment 1, infants were habituated to simple noncausal events in which a geometric figure with a single moving part started to move without physical contact from an identical geometric figure that possessed a single static part. Infants were then tested with an event in which the parts of the objects were switched. In Experiments 2 and 3, infants were habituated and tested with identical events except that the part possessed by each object during habitation was switched relative to the first experiment. Results of the experiments revealed that 16-month-olds failed to encode the relation between an object's part and its onset of motion, 18-month-olds were unconstrained in the relations involving self-propulsion that they would encode, and 20-month-olds were constrained in the relations they would encode. The results are discussed with regard to the developmental trajectory of learning about motion properties and the mechanism involved in early concept acquisition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluates the role of visual input during reaching and grasping in infants. Behavioral and kinematic measures; Completion of reach and grasp to a darkened object; Use of vision when object is visible; Increased infant contact with illuminated object.

Studies the effect of self-produced locomotion in the visual control of posture in infants and the use of optic flow for postural control. Analysis of infant postural response as a function of age; Interaction of optic flow with age and condition of wall motion; Visual experience as a factor in the use of optic flow.

Studies the importance of vision in early reaching of infants by presenting infants with moving objects at two lighting conditions. Studies demonstrating the ability of infants to reach objects without vision; Success rate for contacting the target object; Tendency of infants to reach for a moving object using their contralateral hand; Ability of infants to anticipate the object's movement.