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Thomas J Baker

Publications and source records attributed to Thomas J Baker.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

Stability in young infants' discrimination of optic flow.

Although considerable progress has been made in understanding how adults perceive their direction of self-motion, or heading, from optic flow, little is known about how these perceptual processes develop in infants. In 3 experiments, the authors explored how well 3- to 6-month-old infants could discriminate between optic flow patterns that simulated changes in heading direction. The results suggest that (a) prior to the onset of locomotion, the majority of infants discriminate between optic flow displays that simulate only large (> 22 deg.) changes in heading, (b) there is minimal development in sensitivity between 3 and 6 months, and (c) optic flow alone is sufficient for infants to discriminate heading. These data suggest that spatial abilities associated with the dorsal visual stream undergo prolonged postnatal development and may depend on locomotor experience.

Age Factors↗

Internally generated memory testing: results of repeated test administration.

A critical memory skill rarely clinically tested is the ability to remember self-generated material. Healthy aged participants (n = 30; Experiment 1) and pilot participants with probable Alzheimer disease (pAD) (n = 9; Experiment 2) were twice administered a memory test including both internally generated and externally supplied items for recall. Healthy aged participants were biased to recall internally originating over externally supplied material on first, but not second, presentation. However, pAD participants demonstrated internal bias during both sessions. The pAD participants were also specifically impaired when told to remember internal material. This study provides further evidence that internally originating items can be used to assess memory. In pAD, memory for internal material with specific attempt to remember may be selectively impaired.

Aged↗