Certificate In Psychology (CPSY) Practice Exam

Researchers assume that infants can distinguish between two stimuli if they:

1. Spend equal amounts of time looking at both stimuli.

2. Pay more attention to one stimulus than the other.

3. Refuse to look at either stimulus.

4. Look at only one stimulus.

The correct answer is: Pay more attention to one stimulus than the other.

Infants’ ability to distinguish between two stimuli is often determined by their attention levels toward each stimulus. When researchers observe that an infant pays more attention to one stimulus than the other, it suggests that the infant is recognizing a difference between the two. This phenomenon is an essential aspect of understanding infant perception and cognitive development; increased attention implies that the infant has processed the stimuli differently, indicating a preference or recognition of one over the other. For instance, if an infant looks longer at a brightly colored object compared to a dull one, it is interpreted as evidence that the infant can differentiate between the two based on their visual properties. This approach aligns with methods in psychology where researchers measure attention as a way to infer cognitive distinctions and preferences in infants. Other statements involve behaviors that do not indicate a clear differentiation—such as looking equally at both stimuli or refusing to look at either. These might suggest a lack of preference or interest rather than an ability to distinguish. Therefore, the emphasis on paying more attention to one stimulus is critical in research; it provides direct insight into the infant's capacity for distinction based on their reactions.