The Effect of Visual Feedback of the Hand on the Reaching and Retrieval Behavior of Young Infants

Reaching and retrieving, with and without visual feedback of the hand, were observed in 50 infants ranging in age from 2 1/2 to 6 1/2 months. Failure, to see the hand did not completely inhibit reaching and retrieving, although reaching and retrieving were reduced in this situation for infants 5 1/2 months and older. It was hypothesized that infants of this age expected to see their hands within their visual fields. When this expectation was not met, the infant's ongoing behavior was disrupted.