Publication: Correlates of infant pointing frequency in the first year
Program
School / College / Institute
College of Social Sciences and Humanities
GRADUATE SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES
GRADUATE SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES
KU-Authors
KU Authors
Co-Authors
Ger, Ebru
Koskulu-Sancar, Sumeyye
Liszkowski, Ulf
Publication Date
Language
Type
Embargo Status
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Alternative Title
Abstract
This study examines the emergence of concurrent correlates of infant pointing frequency with the aim of contributing to its ontogenetic theories. We measured monthly from 8 to 12 months infants' (N = 56) index-finger pointing frequency along with several candidate correlates: (1) family socioeconomic status (SES), (2) mothers' pointing production, and (3) infants' point following to targets in front of and behind them. Results revealed that (1) infants increased their pointing frequency across age, but high-SES infants had a steeper increase, and a higher pointing frequency than low-SES infants from 10 months onward, (2) maternal pointing frequency was not associated with infant pointing frequency at any age, (3) infants' point following abilities to targets behind their visual fields was positively associated with their pointing frequency at 12 months, after pointing had already emerged around 10 months. Findings suggest that family SES impacts infants' pointing development more generally, not just through maternal pointing. The association between pointing and following points to targets behind, but not in front, suggests that a higher level of referential understanding emerges after, and perhaps through the production of pointing.
Source
Publisher
Wiley
Subject
Psychology
Citation
Has Part
Source
Infancy
Book Series Title
Edition
DOI
10.1111/infa.12560