Blakemore + Cooper

• What is visual tracking?

  The ability to follow a moving object
• What is depth perception?

  The ability to judge object distance
• What does monocular vision mean?

  Vision using one eye
• What does binocular vision refer to?

  Vision using both eyes
• What was the aim of Blakemore & Cooper's study?

  To investigate the primary visual cortex development
• What type of research method was used in the study?

  Lab experiment
• What was the independent variable (IV) in the study?

  Kittens reared in horizontal or vertical environments
• What was the dependent variable (DV) in the study?

  Kittens' visuomotor behavior in light
• What was the experimental design of the study?

  • Independent measures design
  • Kittens placed in one of two conditions
  • One group saw only horizontal stripes
  • Other group saw only vertical stripes
• How many kittens were used in the study?

  The number was not reported
• How were the kittens allocated to conditions?

  They were randomly allocated
• Until what age were the kittens housed in darkness?

  Two weeks old
• What was the procedure for the kittens after two weeks old?

  They were placed in special apparatus for 5 hours daily
• What did the kittens stand on during the experiment?

  A clear glass platform inside a tall cylinder
• What covered the inner surface of the cylinder?

  High contrast black and white stripes
• What was the width of the visual field restricted by the collar?

  130 degrees
• How did the kittens react to their surroundings?

  They sat for long periods inspecting the walls
• When did the routine stop for the kittens?

  When they were 5 months old
• What happens during the critical period according to Hubel and Weisel?

  Visual deprivation causes physiological deficits
• How often were the kittens taken to a well-lit room?

  Several hours each week
• What was observed in the well-lit room?

  Their visual reactions were recorded
• What happened to two of the kittens at 7.5 months old?

  They were anaesthetised for examination
• What was the initial behavioral result for the kittens?

  They were extremely visually impaired
• How did the kittens guide themselves initially?

  By touch instead of sight
• What was a sign of behavioral blindness in the kittens?

  Kittens could not detect vertically aligned objects
• What happened after 10 hours of normal vision?

  Kittens showed startle responses and jumped easily
• What were some permanent deficits observed in the kittens?

  Clumsy head movements and distorted depth perception
• What did the neurophysiological examination reveal?

  No evidence of astigmatism was found
• What did the study find about orientation selectivity?

  Kittens could not perform orientation selectivity
• What percentage of cells in both kittens were binocular?

  75%
• What was observed in kittens exposed to a vertical environment?

  No neurons preferred horizontal lines
• What does the study conclude about visual experiences?

  They can modify the brain and perception
• What does the study suggest about brain development?

  It is determined by functional demands, not genetics
• What does the study demonstrate about plasticity?

  The environment can determine perception
• What are the implications of the study's findings for understanding visual development?

  • Visual experiences shape brain development
  • Early life experiences can have lasting effects
  • Generalizing findings to humans is questionable