Habituation and Attention, Novelty and Cognition: Where Is the Continuity?

In recent years, a correlational continuity between habituation (or novelty reaction) in infants and later IQ has been demonstrated. Since the measures of continuity are reliable, a theory of intelligence involving continuity is needed. The usual interpretation is that habituation speed and amplitude of novelty reaction are linked to speed of information processing. Another thesis may be that babies who habituate quickly or react strongly to novelty have better control of their attention and information processing. If this hypothesis is valid, capacity to sustain attention may be a basic component of what is measured by IQ tests. Novelty appears to be a fundamental dimension of cognitive relations with the environment during infancy and childhood. If we hypothesize a continuity between infancy and childhood, the concept of intelligence must be used for infants. In this case, the fundamental question that arises is that of the nature of intelligence in infancy.