The Infant Vision Laboratory
of Dr. Karen Dobkins
 

Department of Psychology, MC 0109
University of California, San Diego
9500 Gilman Drive
La Jolla, CA 92093-0109
 

Welcome to the UCSD Infant Vision Laboratory

In this laboratory we study the visual abilities of young infants in order to understand how the developing perceptual system changes with time and experience, and how underlying brain mechanisms can account for the changes.  We are particularly interested in the development of color and motion processing.  We use simple, non-invasive behavioral techniques, such as preferential looking and directional eye movement assessments. Among other things, the results of our studies have demonstrated that infants as young as 3 months of age possess motion processing capacities comparable to those of adults.  These findings suggest that the brain areas responsible for motion processing develop rather quickly.  Currently, we are conducting studies of more specific motion processing abilities in order to understand the course of development of this system.  Other studies examine visual processing in infants who are at familial risk for developmental disorders. We are also studing the influence of earlier visual experience on visual development in infants who were born early (between 28 and 37 weeks gestation; with brith weights over 4 pounds). What does your infant see? We are located on the 3rd floor of McGill Hall on the UCSD campus, room 3118.  If your infant is 5 months of age or younger, you live in the San Diego area, and you are interested in participating in one of our studies, please contact our lab coordinator, Faye van der Fluit, at (858) 822-0642 or fvanderf@psy.ucsd.edu for more information.  Free parking is available and you will receive $5 for each hour you and your child spend together in our laboratory. Neural & Behavioral Precursors to Autism in Infancy One of our current projects is a longitudinal study that examines visual, behavioral, and neural precursors that may be linked to later development of an autism spectrum disorder. Click here for more information. The Effects of Eye Disorders on the Development of Vision We are currently enrolling infants under 12 months of age who were born with eye disorders. We are specifically investigating vision in infants with cataracts, strabismus, or anisometropia, and who have or have not been treated. This project is NEI funded to study motion and color vision in these infants. Click here for more information. Other On-going Projects The Effects of Auditory Deprivation in Adult Deaf Subjects Development of Color and Motion Processing in Typically Developing Infants Effects of Attention on Motion Processing in Normal Adults Infant visual development To learn more about the results of our research, please view our study abstracts here. Graduate Student Applications If you are interested in working with Dr. Dobkins as a graduate student, please click here for more information.     Dr. Karen Dobkins kdobkins@ucsd.edu