A Level Psychology OCR Practice Exam

What method can be used to study perceptual development in babies?

1. Immediate response assessment

2. Habituation

3. Visual acuity testing

4. Pattern recognition tasks

The correct answer is: Habituation

Habituation is a widely used method to study perceptual development in babies because it capitalizes on the natural tendency of infants to become less responsive to repeated stimuli. The process involves presenting a stimulus multiple times until an infant's attention decreases, indicating that they have recognized and become familiar with it. When a new stimulus is introduced, a renewed interest or increased attention suggests that the infant can discriminate between the old and new stimuli, revealing information about their perceptual capabilities. This method is effective in demonstrating various aspects of perceptual development, such as visual and auditory discrimination. It allows researchers to study how infants perceive the world around them and track their developmental milestones over time without the need for verbal communication, which infants cannot provide. Other methods, while relevant for different aspects of perceptual or cognitive testing, do not specifically focus on the process of familiarization and discrimination shown through habituation. For example, immediate response assessment is typically used to gauge knowledge or understanding, rather than perceptual abilities. Visual acuity testing measures how well a baby can see details but does not necessarily capture broader perceptual processes. Pattern recognition tasks involve the ability to identify patterns through complex stimuli, which may not be suitable for the younger age group typically studied in perceptual development. Thus,