A Longitudinal Investigation of Preferential Attention to Biological Motion in 2-to 24-Month-Old Infants

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Robin Sifre, University of Minnesota Twin Cities; Lindsay Olson, San Diego State University; Scott Gillespie, Emory University; Ami Klin, Emory University; Warren R Jones, Emory University; Sarah Shultz, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2018-02-06
• Publisher: Nature Publishing Group: Open Access Journals - Option C
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2018 The Author(s).
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-20808-0
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Scientific Reports
• ISSN: 2045-2322
• Volume: 8
• Start Page: 2527
• End Page: 2527
• Grant/Funding Information: This work was supported by grants from the National Institute of Mental Health (P50-MH100029, AK; 2P50-MH10029–6, AK; R01-MH83712, WJ; K01-MH108741, SS) and Simons Foundation (#187398, AK and #94924, AK), and additional supports by Marcus Foundation and J.B. Whitehead Foundation.
• Keywords: POINT-LIGHT DISPLAYS; DISCRIMINATION; PERCEPTION; SENSITIVITY; Science & Technology; BIRTH; Multidisciplinary Sciences; Psychology; AUTISM; Human behaviour; INEXPERIENCED CHICKS; FACE-LIKE STIMULI; SELECTIVE ATTENTION; Science & Technology - Other Topics; DEVELOPMENTAL-CHANGES
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Human Development; Psychology, General

Abstract

Preferential attention to biological motion is an early-emerging mechanism of adaptive action that plays a critical role in social development. The present study provides a comprehensive longitudinal mapping of developmental change in preferential attention to biological motion in 116 infants at 7 longitudinal time points. Tested repeatedly from 2 until 24 months of age, results reveal that preferential attention to biological motion changes considerably during the first months of life. Previously reported preferences in both neonates and older infants are absent in the second month but do reemerge by month 3 and become increasingly pronounced during the subsequent two years. These results highlight the second month of life as a potentially critical transition period in social visual engagement.