Certificate In Psychology (CPSY) Practice Exam

How did Baillargeon's studies enhance our understanding of infant reasoning about nonvisible events?

1. By relying on primary circular reactions.

2. By using an infant tracking a train through a tunnel.

3. By employing methods that did not require infants to take action.

4. By focusing on motor responses to test reasoning.

The correct answer is: By employing methods that did not require infants to take action.

Baillargeon's studies significantly contributed to our understanding of infant reasoning by employing methods that did not require infants to take action. These innovative approaches allowed researchers to assess infants' cognitive abilities, particularly their understanding of nonvisible events, by observing their gaze and reactions to various situations. For instance, when infants were shown an event that contradicted their expectations, such as an object appearing to pass through another object (which they would not expect based on physical principles), their increased attention indicated surprise and understanding of the situation. This method is essential because it demonstrates that even young infants possess a degree of reasoning about the world around them, challenging previous notions that such reasoning was limited to older children. By removing the need for infants to physically interact with the scene, Baillargeon was able to focus on their cognitive processing, providing insights into their ability to understand and predict events, even when those events are not directly visible to them. This laid a foundation for further research into cognitive development in early childhood.