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Abstract
The Visual Expectation Paradigm (VExP) is used to measure future-oriented anticipatory processing and visual reaction time (RT) in young infants. Fifty-two infants (age 9, 10, 11, and 12 months) were presented with an alternating sequence of visual images and eye movements to the stimuli were videotaped and analyzed frame-by-frame. Anticipations were indicated when infants moved their eyes toward the location of a target prior to its appearance or within 167 ms of its appearance. Previous research has suggested that infants become less skilled at making anticipations from 9 to 12 months, whereas RT remains stable across these ages. The current results indicate that whereas RT remained stable from 9 to 12 months, the percentage of trials on which infants showed anticipations increased across these ages. Results are relevant to understanding the development of attention in 6- to 12-month-olds, which has been under-examined relative to the first six months of life.