Toddlers strategically adapt their information search.
Nat Commun
; 15(1): 5780, 2024 Jul 10.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38987261
ABSTRACT
Adaptive information seeking is essential for humans to effectively navigate complex and dynamic environments. Here, we developed a gaze-contingent eye-tracking paradigm to examine the early emergence of adaptive information-seeking. Toddlers (N = 60, 18-36 months) and adults (N = 42) either learnt that an animal was equally likely to be found in any of four available locations, or that it was most likely to be found in one particular location. Afterwards, they were given control of a torchlight, which they could move with their eyes to explore the otherwise pitch-black task environment. Eye-movement data and Markov models show that, from 24 months of age, toddlers become more exploratory than adults, and start adapting their exploratory strategies to the information structure of the task. These results show that toddlers' search strategies are more sophisticated than previously thought, and identify the unique features that distinguish their information search from adults'.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Information Seeking Behavior
Limits:
Adult
/
Child, preschool
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Infant
/
Male
Language:
En
Journal:
Nat Commun
Journal subject:
BIOLOGIA
/
CIENCIA
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Países Bajos
Country of publication:
Reino Unido