Certificate In Psychology (CPSY) Practice Exam

What finding is consistent with Wynn's research on infants' counting abilities?

1. Infants do not exhibit any numerical understanding.

2. Infants look longer at impossible subtraction outcomes only.

3. Infants look longer at impossible outcomes in both addition and subtraction events.

4. Only infant boys show evidence of early counting abilities.

The correct answer is: Infants look longer at impossible outcomes in both addition and subtraction events.

Wynn's research on infants' counting abilities suggests that even very young children possess a rudimentary understanding of numbers and can differentiate between possible and impossible numerical outcomes. The finding that infants look longer at impossible outcomes in both addition and subtraction events indicates that they have some awareness of basic arithmetic principles, such as the conservation of number during these operations. When infants observe that a certain arithmetic operation produces an unexpected result, it captures their attention, leading them to gaze longer at that outcome. This longer gaze is interpreted as a sign of surprise or confusion, suggesting that they expected a different result based on their understanding of counting and arithmetic. This understanding contradicts the notion that infants lack any numerical comprehension altogether, and it shows that both addition and subtraction are within their cognitive grasp, rather than being limited to just subtraction events. Thus, option C accurately reflects the implications of Wynn's findings about infants' capacity for numerical understanding and counting abilities.