Certificate In Psychology (CPSY) Practice Exam

Which method do researchers use to assess infants' preferences between different stimuli?

1. Physiological measurements.

2. Cognitive assessments.

3. Changes in looking behavior.

4. Parental reports.

The correct answer is: Changes in looking behavior.

Researchers often assess infants' preferences for different stimuli by observing changes in their looking behavior. Infants are naturally drawn to new and interesting stimuli in their environment, and researchers can measure how long and how often an infant looks at various objects, images, or sounds. This method relies on the assumption that infants will spend more time looking at stimuli they find more attractive, intriguing, or engaging. The changes in looking behavior serve as a valuable indicator of an infant's preferences because they provide direct observational data that can be systematically analyzed. By comparing the amount of time spent looking at different stimuli, researchers can draw inferences about what captures an infant's attention and interest. Other methods mentioned, such as physiological measurements, cognitive assessments, and parental reports, do not directly provide insights into infants' preferences in the same immediate and observable way. Physiological measurements assess bodily responses but may not directly indicate subjective preferences, while cognitive assessments are more suitable for older children who have developed more advanced cognitive abilities. Parental reports can be influenced by bias and may not accurately reflect the infant's own responses to various stimuli. Thus, the use of changes in looking behavior is a robust and effective method for understanding infant preferences.