Vision First? The Development of Primary Visual Cortical Networks Is More Rapid Than the Development of Primary Motor Networks in Humans
2011

Visual Development is Faster than Motor Development in Humans

Sample size: 60 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Gervan Patricia, Berencsi Andrea, Kovacs Ilona

Primary Institution: Budapest University of Technology and Economics

Hypothesis

Is there a difference in the developmental timing of primary sensory and motor areas in humans?

Conclusion

The study finds that visual development occurs more rapidly than motor development in humans.

Supporting Evidence

  • Visual performance improves with age and practice, indicating a slow developmental course.
  • Motor performance also improves with age and practice, but at a slower rate than visual performance.
  • Younger age groups show a faster progression of learning in both tasks at the beginning of practice.

Takeaway

Kids get better at seeing things before they get better at moving their hands. It's like learning to see shapes before you can draw them.

Methodology

Participants performed a Contour Integration task for visual development and a Finger-tapping task for motor development over five days.

Limitations

The study may not account for all confounding factors affecting performance across different age groups.

Participant Demographics

Participants included children aged 7 to 21 years from kindergartens, primary schools, and universities in Budapest, Hungary.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.01

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0025572

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