This study focuses on how the body schema develops during the first months of life, by investigating infants\u2019 motor responses to localized vibrotactile stimulation on their limbs. Vibrotactile stimulation was provided by small buzzers that were attached to the infants\u2019 four limbs one at a time. Four age groups were compared cross-sectionally (3-, 4-, 5-, and 6-month-olds). We show that before they actually reach for the buzzer, which, according to previous studies, occurs around 7\u20138 months of age, infants demonstrate emerging knowledge about their body’s configuration by producing specific movement patterns associated with the stimulated body area. At 3 months, infants responded with an increase in general activity when the buzzer was placed on the body, independently of the vibrator’s location. Differentiated topographical awareness of the body seemed to appear around 5 months, with specific responses resulting from stimulation of the hands emerging first, followed by the differentiation of movement patterns associated with the stimulation of the feet. Qualitative analyses revealed specific movement types reliably associated with each stimulated location by 6 months of age, possibly preparing infants\u2019 ability to actually reach for the vibrating target. We discuss this result in relation to newborns\u2019 ability to learn specific movement patterns through intersensory contingency.<\/p>\n
in British Journal of Developmental Psychology<\/a><\/p>\n This study focuses on how the body schema develops during the first months of life, by investigating infants\u2019 motor responses to localized vibrotactile stimulation on their limbs. Vibrotactile stimulation was provided by small buzzers that were attached to the infants\u2019 … Continue reading <\/h1>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"