FREE ESSAY ON PERCEPTUAL DEVELOPMENT

PERCEPTUAL DEVELOPMENT

a) Describe 2 studies of perceptual development (12 marks).
b) Assess the way in which such studies help to explain the development of perception (12
marks).
In the following essay I intend to describe two studies of perceptual 
development. I then intend to assess such studies and how they help to explain the
development of perception. By perceptual development, I mean how animals and humans alike
develop their seeing capabilities. This development of perception could be learnt or
innate. By innate, I mean to be born with the ability. 
a) Gibson and Walk conducted a study in 1960. The study was investigating Depth
Perception. The study involved a 6-month-old child, 24-hour-old chicks, kids and lambs.
Gibson and Walk used a 'Visual Cliff' to conduct the study. The 'Visual Cliff' was
comprised of 2 floors. On one side there was a check-board pattern, on the other side
there is glass floor. Below the glass floor there was another floor with check-board
pattern. This was placed so that an illusion of a cliff and depth was created. At first
the child was placed and was found to be reluctant to go onto the glass. The child's
reluctance could be seen as even with encouragement from the child's mother, the child
refused to go onto the glass. The study was continued on chicks, kids and lambs. All
subjects studied refused to go onto the glass.
Held and Hein conducted a study in 1965. The study was investigating Depth Perception.
The study involved two kittens. The kittens were kept in the dark for a period of eight
weeks since their birth and for three hours per day they were kept in a 'Kitten
Carousel'. The kittens were given appropriate name. 'Passive Kitten' and Active Kitten'
were their names. The Active Kitten was given the ability to move freely at it's own
discretion, during the eight weeks. The Passive Kitten was unable to move freely during
the eight weeks. Both Kittens were released into the light. The Passive Kitten showed no
evidence of perceiving depth. The Active Kitten did far better then the Passive Kitten.
b) Studies like the above two help explain the development of perception. Studies do this
by allowing us to understand if perception is learnt or an innate process.
The first study suggested that their subjects could perceive Depth Perception. However
the study did not clearly identify whether perception was innate or learnt. This could
not be identified as the child's age created a 'time period' were perception could be
learnt. To clarify this the study was conducted on animal subjects. 
All of the subjects could perceive depth. However the animal subjects walk from almost
birth. This ability to walk suggests a different process of perception to the human
perception. Perception in the animal subjects seems to be an innate process.
The second study was confined to 'Kittens'. The study suggested that depth perception is
learnt. This was suggested by the 'Passive Kitten', restricted from movement was unable
to perceive depth once free. The kitten was unable to use sensory motor co-ordination.
This suggests a link between perception and sensory motor co-ordination. The study
suggested perception is learnt in kittens. Environment factors also may affect
perception. The study had ethical concerns, the 'Passive Kitten' was 'crippled'. The
Kittens parents may have a genetic affect on their behavior. The study does not suggest
what type of kittens was investigated. 
For Example;
'Domestic or Non-Domestic'.
There are other variations of Kittens (cats) and therefore this may be claimed as a
variable. Hence making the results invalid. . Different types of Kittens usually require
their parents for a varied period of their early life. This may affect the results.
Both studies did not suggest what depth perception is like in 
'Humans'. The studies were confined to animals, which can not communicate through any
human created language and therefore misinterpretation can occur. Hence, the validity of
the results comes into concern. 
Other studies of perception have occurred. However conducting studies of human perception
is complicated, as it is not easy to generalise. Commonly studies are done on westernised
subjects rather than subjects from third world countries. Studies suggest that cultural
variation, environment and social aspects can have an affect on perception. Therefore
many studies conducted up to date are invalid for not considering this issue as a
variable.
The studies reveal different results. However these different results enable me to
understand the development of perception. This suggests that perception is developed in
many different ways and therefore can not conclusively be used to generalise. 
24/25
ROWLEY COLLEGE
SMETHWICK GUY
Bibliography
RD GROSS 'THE SCIENCE OF MIND AND BEHAVIOUR