Perceptual Development

Perceptual abilities develop rapidly over the period of infancy, and the main focus of this text is on the origins and development of perceptual processing in the first year or so from birth. It covers all the sensory modalities, but with an emphasis on visual and auditory perception. With respect to visual development, the topics include: the development of basic sensory capacities and visual functions; the innate and developing organization of visual perception; face perception and early imitation; the roll of experience; object perception; critical periods in development, and Infants "at risk". The chapters on auditory perception are organized around three main topics: sensitivity to, and detection of, sounds; detection of rhythm; response to human speech and precursors of language development. There are chapters on smell and taste, and a chapter on intersensory co-ordination which includes a section on visual and auditory guidance of action. Contrasting theories of perceptual development are considered throughout.