The relationship between physical growth and a newborn reflex

Thelen, Esther; Fisher, Donna M.; Ridley‐Johnson, Robyn

doi:10.1016/s0163-6383(84)80007-7

Cited by 243 publications

(74 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…Experimental manipulations that changed the weight of the leg or the resistance of the leg to flexion (e.g. submerging infants in torso-deep water) showed that the presence or absence of stepping was systematically related to the biomechanical constraints of the situation (Thelen et al 1984, Thelen et al 1987. This simulation of developmental change highlights the important contribution of contextual variables.…”

Section: Perception Is Context Specificmentioning

confidence: 85%

Origins and Early Development of Perception, Action, and Representation

Bertenthal

1996

Annu. Rev. Psychol.

207

121

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Research relevant to the origins and early development of two functionally dissociable perceptual systems is summarized. One system is concerned with the perceptual control and guidance of actions, the other with the perception and recognition of objects and events. perceptually controlled actions function in real time and are modularly organized. Infants perceive where they are and what they are doing. By contrast, research on object recognition suggests that even young infants represent some of the defining features and physical constraints that specify the identity and continuity of objects. Different factors contribute to developmental changes within the two systems; it is difficult to generalize from one response system to another; and neither perception, action, nor representation qualifies as ontogenetically privileged. All three processes develop from birth as a function of intrinsic processing constraints and experience.

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Section: Perception Is Context Specificmentioning

confidence: 85%

Origins and Early Development of Perception, Action, and Representation

Bertenthal

1996

Annu. Rev. Psychol.

207

121

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“…Piper, Pinnell, Darrah, Maguire, & Byrne, 1992). In addition, body mass (g) and length (cm) were recorded and used to determine the Ponderal index (Shirley, 1976;Thelen, Fisher, & Ridley-Johnson, 1984), a measure of chubbiness, based on the formula: Mass/Length 3 Â 100 (g/cm 3 ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

General and Task‐Related Experiences Affect Early Object Interaction

2004

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The effects of 2 weeks of no, general, and task‐related enhanced movement experiences on 8‐ to 12‐week‐old infants' (N=30) hand and foot interactions with objects were assessed using standard video and motion analysis. For hand–object interaction ability, general and task experience led to greater success than did no experience, and task experience led to greater success than did general experience. Only general experience led to greater success for foot–object interaction ability. Experiences therefore resulted in differential effects depending on which limbs infants used. The results suggest that different movement experiences can advance infants' earliest object interactions. They also indicate that even early purposeful behaviors result from a complex interplay of experience, current ability, and task demands.

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“…Changes in body growth could affect strength and balance by changing the biomechanical constraints on movement. For example, defying gravity simply to lift the legs in an upright position requires a sufficiently high muscle-to-fat ratio in the legs (Thelen, Fisher, & Ridley-Johnson, 1984). Bearing the body's weight on one leg while hoisting the other requires additional leg and hip strength plus sufficiently strong muscles in the back and abdomen to stabilize and support the leg movements (Bertenthal & Clifton, 1998).…”

Section: Developmental Factorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, Thelen and colleagues (Thelen, 1984a;Thelen et al, 1984;Thelen, Fisher, Ridley-Johnson, & Griffin, 1982) showed that redistribution of leg fat and muscle mass may explain infants' changing ability to display the upright stepping pattern. During the newborn period, slimmer babies produce more steps than chubbier babies.…”

Section: Underlying Developmental Factorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

What Changes in Infant Walking and Why

2003

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This study compared the relative contributions of growing body dimensions, age, and walking experience in the development of walking skill in 9- to 17-month-old infants (N = 210), 5-6-year old kindergartners (N = 15), and college students (N = 13). Kinematic measures derived from participants' footprints showed characteristic improvements in walking skill. As children became bigger, older, and more experienced, their steps became longer, narrower, straighter, and more consistent. Improvements reflected a narrowing base of support and increasing control over the path of progression. Although both infants' age and the duration of their walking experience contributed to improvements in walking skill, experience was the stronger predictor. This finding suggests that practice is the more important developmental factor for helping infants to conquer their weak muscles and precarious balance.

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The relationship between physical growth and a newborn reflex

Cited by 243 publications

References 21 publications

Origins and Early Development of Perception, Action, and Representation

Origins and Early Development of Perception, Action, and Representation

General and Task‐Related Experiences Affect Early Object Interaction

What Changes in Infant Walking and Why

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