Linear systems analysis of infant visual pattern preferences.

Karmel's check-pattern preference data for 13-week-old infants were reanalyzed using linear systems analysis. The two-dimensional Fourier amplitude spectrum was calculated for each of his eight checkerboard and random check patterns. The mean contrast sensitivity data for 3-month-old infants of Banks and Salapatek and the spatial frequency amplitudes of the patterns were used to derive three metrics to predict the looking times observed by Karmel. One was based on the sensitivity of the visual system to the single pattern component highest above threshold (maximum amplitude), the second was based on the total amount of pattern energy above threshold (total summation), and the third was based on the maximum amplitude with summation over nearby spatial frequency components (limited summation). The predictive power of the maximum amplitude and the total summation metrics depended on whether the pattern type was checkerboard or random check. The limited summation metric predicted looking times well for both pattern types. A linear function of the logarithm of the limited summation metric accounted for 91% of the total variance in looking time.

[1]  J. Fagan,et al.  Chapter 4 – Early Visual Selectivity: As a Function of Pattern Variables, Previous Exposure, Age from Birth and Conception, and Expected Cognitive Deficit , 1975 .

[2]  J. Robson,et al.  Spatial-frequency channels in human vision. , 1971, Journal of the Optical Society of America.

[3]  T. Reichert,et al.  Spatial-frequency selectivity in contrast detection , 1975, Vision Research.

[4]  Janette Atkinson,et al.  Development of contrast sensitivity over the first 3 months of life in the human infant , 1977, Vision Research.

[5]  P. Salapatek.  Chapter 3 – Pattern Perception in Early Infancy1 , 1975 .

[6]  D. H. Kelly.  Pattern detection and the two-dimensional Fourier transform: Flickering checkerboards and chromatic mechanisms , 1976, Vision Research.

[7]  B. Karmel.  Chapter 2 – A Neuronal Activity Model for Infant Visual Attention1 , 1975 .

[8]  B. Karmel,et al.  The effect of age, complexity, and amount of contour on pattern preferences in human infants. , 1969, Journal of experimental child psychology.

[9]  J. Bergen,et al.  A four mechanism model for threshold spatial vision , 1979, Vision Research.

[10]  H. Thomas.  Unfolding the baby's mind: the infant's selection of visual stimuli. , 1973, Psychological review.

[11]  M S Banks,et al.  Acuity and contrast sensitivity in 1-, 2-, and 3-month-old human infants. , 1978, Investigative ophthalmology & visual science.

[12]  E. K. Bond,et al.  Perception of form by the human infant. , 1972, Psychological bulletin.

[13]  M S Banks,et al.  Infant pattern vision: a new approach based on the contrast sensitivity function. , 1981, Journal of experimental child psychology.

[14]  J. Atkinson,et al.  Contrast sensitivity of the human neonate measured by the visual evoked potential. , 1979, Investigative ophthalmology & visual science.

[15]  Velma Dobson,et al.  Visual acuity in human infants: A review and comparison of behavioral and electrophysiological studies , 1978, Vision Research.

[16]  Donatella Spinelli,et al.  Infant contrast sensitivity evaluated by evoked potentials , 1978, Brain Research.

[17]  E. O. Brigham,et al.  The Fast Fourier Transform , 1967, IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics.