ABSTRACT: Adults process symmetrical visual forms more rapidly than asymmetrical visual forms, presumably because
 symmetrical forms are amenable to a global visual encoding strategy. Individual differences in look duration during infancy
 have been hypothesized to covary with different modes of visual intake and encoding, with longer look durations reflecting
 encoding based on prolonged inspection of local visual properties, and briefer look durations reflecting encoding based on
 more of a global, or global-to-local processing sequence. This hypothesis predicts that short-looking infants would process
 symmetrical stimuli faster than asymmetrical stimuli, but that long-looking infants would not. Three experiments with
 4-mo-olds are described in which this prediction is tested. Results were in general accord with the prediction and provide
 further support for the hypothesis that individual differences in look duration may reflect different modes of visual encoding or
 inspection. ((c) 1998 APA/PsycINFO, all rights reserved)

 DESCRIPTORS:
        (*=Major)
                 Form and Shape Perception * | Individual Differences * | Perceptual Development * |
   KEY PHRASE:
                 recognition of symmetrical & asymmetrical forms, long vs short looking 4-mo-olds
  CLASS. CODE:
                 Cognitive & Perceptual Development (2820)
   AGE GROUP:
                 Childhood (birth-12 yrs) | Infancy (1-23 mo)
  POPULATION:
                 Human | Male | Female
       UPDATE:
                 19981101