b) Assess the way in which such studies help to explain the development of perception (12 marks).

In the following essay I intend to describe two studies of perceptual

development. I then intend to assess such studies and how they help to explain the development of perception. By perceptual development, I mean how animals and humans alike develop their seeing capabilities. This development of perception could be learnt or innate. By innate, I mean to be born with the ability.

a) Gibson and Walk conducted a study in 1960. The study was investigating Depth Perception. The study involved a 6-month-old child, 24-hour-old chicks, kids and lambs. Gibson and Walk used a 'Visual Cliff' to conduct the study. The 'Visual Cliff' was comprised of 2 floors. On one side there was a check-board pattern, on the other side there is glass floor. Below the glass floor there was another floor with check-board pattern. This was placed so that an illusion of a cliff and depth was created. At first the child was placed and was found to be reluctant to go onto the glass. The child's reluctance could be seen as even with encouragement from the child's mother, the chi

Both studies did not suggest what depth perception is like in

The studies reveal different results. However these different results enable me to understand the development of perception. This suggests that perception is developed in many different ways and therefore can not conclusively be used to generalise.

Some common words found in the essay are:
Depth Perception, Gibson Walk, , Kitten Studies, Passive Kitten, Active Kitten, Held Hein, depth perception, perception learnt, development perception, perception study, Active Kitten', RD GROSS, help explain development, eight weeks, passive kitten, study suggested, 'passive kitten', onto glass, explain development perception, depth perception study, studies help explain, help explain, innate process study, MIND BEHAVIOUR,
Approximate Word count = 826
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)