Blakemoore And Cooper Flashcards
What is the background of the study
Hirsxh and Spinelli found that early visual experience can change neural organisation in kittens
What is the area of the study
Biological area
What is the key theme of the study
Brain plasticity
What is the research method
A laboratory experiment
What is the design
Independent measures design
What is the independent variable
Whether the kittens were reared in a horizontal or vertical environment
What is the dependant variable
The Visuomotor behaviour of the kittens once placed in an illuminated environment (behavioural)
Neuropsychological differences in the cats
What was the sample of the study
Kittens (no number given)
2 kittens one from each condition used to study the neurophyiscal effects
Describe the procedure
The kittens were housed in a completely dark room from birth
From 2 weeks they were put in a cylinder for about 5 hours a day, it had either vertical or horizontal stripes
Routine stopped when they turned 5 months old
Kittens then taken for several hours each week from their dark cage to a small well lit room furnished with tables and chairs
Their visual reactions were observed and recorded
At 7.5 months the 2 kittens were anaesthetised so neurophysiology could be examined
What are 3 results from observing the kittens behaviour
The kittens guided themselves mainly by touch
They showed no visual placing when brought to a table top or startle response when an object was thrust towards them
Kittens raised in horizontal environment couldn’t detect vertical objects and vice Versa
Onky followed a rod when held vertically or horizontally (depend on environment)
What are 2 defects that were temporary and how long did it take
Visual placement
Startle response
10 hours of normal vision
What are 2 permanent defects
Tried to touch things out do their reach (other side of room)
Followed moves with clumsy, jerky head movements
Describe the cylinder and collar (3)
A talk cylinder with a clear glass platform inside
High contrast black and white stripes either horizontal or vertical
No corners
Kittens worse a wide collar that restricted it’s visual field to about 130 degrees (couldn’t even see its own body)
What are some results from the neuropsychological exam
75% of cells binocular and responded as normal cats would
Horizontal plane recognition cells didnt fire off in kitten from vertical environment and vice Versa
What are 3 conclusions from the study
Visual experiences in the early life of kittens can modify their brains and have profound perceptual consequences
A kittens visual cortex can adjust itself during maturation to the nature of its visual environment
Environment can determine perception at both behavioural and physiological level
