Development of Infant Contrast Sensitivity and Acuity for Coloured Patterns

In this study we apply the technique of recording visual evoked potentials (VEPs) to investigate how the spatial characteristics of the infant colour system develops over the first six months. The stimuli for our experiments were plaid patterns modulated sinusoidally both horizontally and vertically, made by summing red and green sinusoidal plaids of equal but opposite contrast (see Fiorentini et al., this volume, for details). The patterns were reversed in contrast at frequencies from 2 to 5 Hz, and VEPs were recorded from the infants in synchrony with the patttern reversal.