Detecting 'infant‐directedness' in face and voice

In: Developmental science, Band 17, Heft 4, S. 621-627

Abstract

AbstractFive‐ and 3‐month‐old infants' perception of infant‐directed (ID) faces and the role of speech in perceiving faces were examined. Infants' eye movements were recorded as they viewed a series of two side‐by‐side talking faces, one infant‐directed and one adult‐directed (AD), while listening toIDspeech,ADspeech, or in silence. Infants showed consistently greater dwell time onIDfaces vs.ADfaces, and thisIDface preference was consistent across all three sound conditions.IDspeech resulted in higher looking overall, but it did not increase looking at theIDfaceper se. Together, these findings demonstrate that infants' preferences forIDspeech extend toIDfaces.