The Saliency of Snake Scales and Leopard Rosettes to Infants: Its Relevance to Graphical Patterns Portrayed in Prehistoric Art

Abstract

Geometrically arranged spots and crosshatched incised lines are frequently portrayed in prehistoric cave and mobiliary art. Two experiments examined the saliency of snake scales and leopard rosettes to infants that are perceptually analogous to these patterns. Experiment 1 examined the investigative behavior of 23 infants at three daycare facilities. Four plastic jars (15×14.5cm) with snake scales, leopard rosettes, geometric plaid, and plain patterns printed on yellowish-orange paper inside were placed individually on the floor on separate days during playtime. Fourteen 7–15-month-old infants approached each jar hesitantly and poked it before handling it for five times, the criterion selected for statistical analyses of poking frequency. The jars with snake scales and leopard rosettes yielded reliably higher poking frequencies than the geometric plaid and plain jars. The second experiment examined the gaze and grasping behavior of 15 infants (spanning 5months of age) seated on the laps of their mothers in front of a table. For paired comparisons, the experimenter pushed two of four upright plastic cylinders (13.5×5.5cm) with virtually the same colored patterns simultaneously toward each infant for 6s. Video recordings indicated that infants gazed significantly longer at the cylinders with snake scales and leopard rosettes than the geometric plaid and plain cylinders prior to grasping them. Logistic regression of gaze duration predicting cylinder choice for grasping indicated that seven of 24 paired comparisons were not significant, all of which involved choices of cylinders with snake scales and leopard rosettes that diverted attention before reaching. Evidence that these biological patterns are salient to infants during an early period of brain development might characterize the integration of subcortical and neocortical visual processes known to be involved in snake recognition. In older individuals, memorable encounters with snakes and leopards coupled with the saliency of snake scales and leopard rosettes possibly biased artistic renditions of similar patterns during prehistoric times.

Are vipers prototypic fear-evoking snakes? A cross-cultural comparison of Somalis and Czechs

“…Secondly, the contrasting pattern of dark spots or lines on a light grey or beige background is often present. Thirdly, vipers have large and prominent scales all over the body (the importance of scales for snake detection and recognition was shown by, e.g., Isbell and Etting, 2017 ; Van Strien and Isbell, 2017 ; Kawai, 2019 ; Coss and Charles, 2021 ). Consequently, vipers appear to have a rugged texture, and their contrasting color pattern (when present) is emphasized.…”

“…The typical snake scales, as well as the different patterns that scales form on the snake’s body, are important features for early selective visual processing, as shown in studies using the event-related potentials in humans ( Van Strien and Isbell, 2017 ; see also Kawai, 2019 ). Even very young children (7–15 months old) poked more at plastic cylinders with snake scale patterns, and even younger children (5 months old) gazed longer at them compared to those with geometric shapes or plain colors ( Coss and Charles, 2021 ). Ethological studies on non-human primates also report that vervet monkeys ( Chlorocebus pygerythrus ) are able to detect and recognize snakes based on small pieces of snakeskin only ( Isbell and Etting, 2017 ).…”

Existential moods as resonances of being: Anchoring existential psychology in nature—An outline

“…Systematic perception experiments show that, in the crowded arrivals hall, we indeed spot the lady in the leopard coat long before the woman in the green raincoat. All such innate sensibilities are a testimony to the fact that old hardwired perception programmes are intact in the modern human being (Coss, 2003;Coss & Charles, 2021;Høgh-Olesen, 2019;Shabbir et al, 2018).…”

The venus figurines of the upper paleolithic as sexual power objects: The first fetishing of the female body in human imaginative culture.

“…To guide us in these central identifications, we are hardwired to be especially aware of certain key stimuli in our surroundings, which has been crucial for our survival, fitness, and reproduction throughout evolution (Lorenz, 1981; Tinbergen, 1951). Innate recognition systems are activated in an experiential context; that is, experientially driven neural activation in the appropriate situation is essential (Coss & Charles, 2021). Each key stimulus fits like a key to the lock of an inborn stimulus filter: the innate releasing mechanism in the central nervous system, which releases instinct-like behavior in the form of fixed action patterns when the specific key stimulus is perceived.…”

“…Moreover, there is a limitless market for textiles with patterns inspired by animal skins (leopard spots, tiger stripes, and snake patterns), and systematic perception experiments show that, in the crowded arrivals hall, we indeed spot the lady in the leopard coat long before the woman in the green raincoat. All such innate sensibilities are a testimony to the fact that old hardwired perception programs are intact in modern humans (Coss, 2003; Coss & Charles, 2021; Shabbir et al, 2018).…”