Abstract
Rhesus monkeys, reared in isolation, were exposed to differentially complex visual patterns from Day 5 through 39 after birth. Duration of visual and manual exploration served as a measure of stimulus preference. As the infant monkeys matured a gradual change in preference from simpler to more complex stimuli was observed. Compared with human infant behavior these data extend the phylogenetic generality of stimulus complexity as an important motivational variable in behavioral development, and reinforce the assumption that stimulus preferences proceed from simpler to more complex input as a function of age.
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1. This research was supported by grant MH-4528 from the National Institute of Mental Health. The assistance of Mrs. Lana Hall is gratefully acknowledged.
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Sackett, G.P. Development of preference for differentially complex patterns by infant monkeys. Psychon Sci 6, 441–442 (1966). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03330977
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03330977