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Blakemore and Cooper (Conclusions (Visual experiences in the early life of…
Blakemore and Cooper
Conclusions
Visual experiences in the early life of the kittens can modify their brains and have profound perceptual consequences
Brain development is determined by the functional demands made upon it, rather than pre-programmed genetic factors;thus demonstrating brain plasticity
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The environment can determine perception at both a behavioural and physiological level- in cats. Questionable to whether results can be generalised to humans.
Research Method
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DV: The cats visuomotor behaviour once they are placed in an illuminated environment
Measured: 1) Their behaviour was observed in a normal environment, 2) Neurological investigation of the direction of orientation-specific neutrons in the visual cortex
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Procedure
Kittens were housed from birth in completely dark room. From 2 weeks were put in special apparatus for 5 hours per day, tall cylinder with horizontal or vertical stripes and glass bottom. Kitten wore a wide black collar and this routine stopped with kittens were 5 months old
Kittens were then taken for several hours from dark cage to a small, well lit room, furnished with tables and chairs. Visual reactions were observed.
At 7.5 months, two kittens were anaesthetised so their neurophysiology could be examined. The cats were presented with bright slits or edges of light while psychologists took recording from individual neurons. Recordings were taken from 125 neurons from to kittens.
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Aim
To investigate the development of the primary visual cortex and to find out if some of its properties such as orientation selectivity are innate or learned.
Sample
Kittens(from birth-7.5 months) were randomly allocated to one of two conditions
Two of the kittens (one horizontal and one vertical) were used to study neurological effects
Behavioural observations
1) The ability to move around and respond to objects
2)Ability to jump from chair to the floor
3) Ability to follow a moving object
4)Ability to judge the distance of objects to touch them
5) Their startle response and visual placing
6)Their responses to a rod held vertically or horizontally