|
1
|
Krieber-Tomantschger M, Pokorny FB, Krieber-Tomantschger I, Langmann L, Poustka L, Zhang D, Treue S, Tanzer NK, Einspieler C, Marschik PB, Körner C. The development of visual attention in early infancy: Insights from a free-viewing paradigm. INFANCY 2022; 27:433-458. [PMID: 34981647 DOI: 10.1111/infa.12449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Theories of visual attention suggest a cascading development of subfunctions such as alertness, spatial orientation, attention to object features, and endogenous control. Here, we aimed to track infants' visual developmental steps from a primarily exogenously to more endogenously controlled processing style during their first months of life. In this repeated measures study, 51 infants participated in seven fortnightly assessments at postterm ages of 4-16 weeks. Infants were presented with the same set of static and dynamic paired comparison stimuli in each assessment. Visual behavior was evaluated by a newly introduced scoring scheme. Our results confirmed the suggested visual developmental hierarchy and clearly demonstrated the suitability of our scoring scheme for documenting developmental changes in visual attention during early infancy. Besides the general ontogenetic course of development, we also discuss intra- and interindividual differences which may affect single assessments, and highlight the importance of repeated measurements for reliable evaluation of developmental changes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Krieber-Tomantschger
- Research Unit iDN - interdisciplinary Developmental Neuroscience, Division of Phoniatrics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Florian B Pokorny
- Research Unit iDN - interdisciplinary Developmental Neuroscience, Division of Phoniatrics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Iris Krieber-Tomantschger
- Research Unit iDN - interdisciplinary Developmental Neuroscience, Division of Phoniatrics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Laura Langmann
- Research Unit iDN - interdisciplinary Developmental Neuroscience, Division of Phoniatrics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Luise Poustka
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Georg-August University Goettingen, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Dajie Zhang
- Research Unit iDN - interdisciplinary Developmental Neuroscience, Division of Phoniatrics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Georg-August University Goettingen, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
- Leibniz-ScienceCampus Primate Cognition, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Stefan Treue
- Leibniz-ScienceCampus Primate Cognition, Goettingen, Germany
- Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, German Primate Center - Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Goettingen, Germany
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience, Goettingen, Germany
- Faculty for Biology and Psychology, University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | | | - Christa Einspieler
- Research Unit iDN - interdisciplinary Developmental Neuroscience, Division of Phoniatrics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Peter B Marschik
- Research Unit iDN - interdisciplinary Developmental Neuroscience, Division of Phoniatrics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Georg-August University Goettingen, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
- Leibniz-ScienceCampus Primate Cognition, Goettingen, Germany
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (KIND), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Christof Körner
- Cognitive Psychology & Neuroscience, Institute of Psychology, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
|
2
|
Abstract
We investigated the relationship between maternal docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels at birth and toddler free-play attention in the second year. Toddler free-play attention was assessed at 12 and 18 months, and maternal erythrocyte (red-blood cell; RBC) phospholipid DHA (percentage of total fatty acids) was measured from mothers at delivery. Overall, higher maternal DHA status at birth was associated with enhanced attentional functioning during the second year. Toddlers whose mothers had high DHA at birth exhibited more total looking and fewer episodes of inattention during free-play than did toddlers whose mothers had low DHA at birth. Analyses also provided further information on changes in attention during toddlerhood. These findings are consistent with evidence suggesting a link between DHA and cognitive development in infancy and early childhood.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen N Kannass
- Department of Psychology, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60626, USA.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|