In the textbook chapter on Sensation and Perception (Chapter 6), we read about a clever method for testing an infant's perception of depth. Describe the physical apparatus called the "visual cliff" and explain how it is used in testing the depth perceptio

Question

How was the visual cliff procedure modified in order to assess the ways in which babies begin to alter their own behaviors after observing their parents' emotional reactions? What results were found?
What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Answer: A good answer will include the following key points.
• Testing an infant's perception of depth requires considerable ingenuity. One classic procedure has been to place infants on a device called a visual cliff (a flat transparent surface that lies over a shallow side (patterned surface directly below the glass) and a deep side (patterned surface a distance below the glass), giving the appearance of a cliff).
• Infants are placed in the center while the mother tries to entice them to crawl over the deep side.
• Babies only 6 months of age will crawl across the shallow side but will refuse to crawl out over the "cliff," suggesting that they have depth perception.
• To test whether babies are sensitive to adult facial expressions, researchers used an "ambiguous visual cliff."
• The ambiguous visual cliff did not drop off sharply; therefore, it did not automatically evoke fear.
• If mothers put on a happy expression, most babies crossed the cliff (74 percent).
• If mothers showed an expression of fear, no infants would cross the cliff.
• Young children do not yet have the experience to judge danger.
• Therefore, they look to their parents to determine whether they should be alarmed or not.