A Level Psychology OCR Practice Exam

What conclusion can be drawn about newborns' perceptual abilities based on Fantz's research?

1. Newborns cannot differentiate between any patterns

2. Newborns prefer complex patterns to simple ones

3. Newborns only recognize patterns that mimic nature

4. Newborns are indifferent to pattern complexity

The correct answer is: Newborns prefer complex patterns to simple ones

The conclusion that newborns prefer complex patterns over simple ones is supported by the findings from Fantz's research, which involved observing infants' looking preferences. Fantz discovered that when presented with various visual stimuli, newborns typically spent more time looking at complex patterns rather than simple ones. This tendency suggests that complex visual stimuli, such as those with more elements or varied shapes, are inherently more interesting or stimulating to infants, indicating an early capacity for complexity detection in their perceptual abilities. Fantz's work implies that newborns are not just passive recipients of sensory input; rather, they actively engage with their environment, showing preferences that hint at a developing cognitive and perceptual framework. The findings align with the idea that perceptual abilities start to manifest at a very young age, highlighting the significance of visual complexity in early cognitive development. This preference for complexity forms the foundation for further visual processing and learning as they grow.