Sound Enhances Detection of Visual Target during Infancy: A Study Using Illusory Contours

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Sound Enhances Detection of Visual Target during Infancy: A Study Using Illusory Contours
Language: English
Authors: Wada, Yuji, Shirai, Nobu, Otsuka, Yumiko
Source: Journal of Experimental Child Psychology. Mar 2009 102(3):315-322.
Availability: Elsevier. 6277 Sea Harbor Drive, Orlando, FL 32887-4800. Tel: 877-839-7126; Tel: 407-345-4020; Fax: 407-363-1354; e-mail: usjcs@elsevier.com; Web site: http://www.elsevier.com
Peer Reviewed: Y
Physical Description: PDF
Page Count: 8
Publication Date: 2009
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Infants, Acoustics, Intonation, Visual Perception, Age Differences, Cognitive Development, Child Development, Cognitive Ability, Measurement Techniques
DOI: 10.1016/j.jecp.2008.07.002
ISSN: 0022-0965
Abstract: In adults, a salient tone embedded in a sequence of nonsalient tones improves detection of a synchronously and briefly presented visual target in a rapid, visually distracting sequence. This phenomenon indicates that perception from one sensory modality can be influenced by another one even when the latter modality provides no information about the judged property itself. However, no study has revealed the age-related development of this kind of cross-modal enhancement. Here we tested the effect of concurrent and unique sounds on detection of illusory contours during infancy. We used a preferential looking technique to investigate whether audio-visual enhancement of the detection of illusory contours could be observed at 5, 6, and 7 months of age. A significant enhancement, induced by sound, of the preference for illusory contours was observed only in the 7-month-olds. These results suggest that audio-visual enhancement in visual target detection emerges at 7 months of age. (Contains 2 figures and 1 table.)
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2010
Accession Number: EJ869745
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:In adults, a salient tone embedded in a sequence of nonsalient tones improves detection of a synchronously and briefly presented visual target in a rapid, visually distracting sequence. This phenomenon indicates that perception from one sensory modality can be influenced by another one even when the latter modality provides no information about the judged property itself. However, no study has revealed the age-related development of this kind of cross-modal enhancement. Here we tested the effect of concurrent and unique sounds on detection of illusory contours during infancy. We used a preferential looking technique to investigate whether audio-visual enhancement of the detection of illusory contours could be observed at 5, 6, and 7 months of age. A significant enhancement, induced by sound, of the preference for illusory contours was observed only in the 7-month-olds. These results suggest that audio-visual enhancement in visual target detection emerges at 7 months of age. (Contains 2 figures and 1 table.)
ISSN:0022-0965
DOI:10.1016/j.jecp.2008.07.002