Infant reactivity to redundant proprioceptive and auditory stimulation: a twin study.

EDRS Price MF-$0.65 HC-$3.29 *Aural Stimuli, Genetics, *Infant Behavior, Overt Response, *Redundancy, *Response Mode, Stimulation, Stimulus Behavior, *Twins The role of genetic factors in infant response to redundancy was evaluated through observation of the behavior of three sets of same-sex fraternal twins and six sets of same-sex identical twins to combinations of redundant proprioceptive and auditory stimulation. The twins ranged in age from 6 weeks to 24 weeks. One member of each twin set was placed on each side of a partition in a motor-driven rockerbox, and four 1-minute treatments were administered in mixed order, with 1-minute pre-treatment and post-treatment periods. The treatments consisted of combinations of fast and slow rocking under conditions of sound and no sound. An observer rated the activity level of each twin on a 5-point scale at 30-second intervals. Treatment was associated with a significant decline of infant activity independent of zygosity. Identical twins exhibited marked behavioral consistency compared to fraternal twins during and after treatment. The results appear to provide positive evidence for the role of endogenous, genetically linked regulation of infant response to redundant stimulation. (Author/NH) U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION & WELFARE OFFICE OF EDUCATION THIS DOCUMENT HAS BEEN REPRODUCED EXACTLY AS RECEIVED FROM THE PERSON OR ORGANIZATION ORIGINATING IT. POINTS OF VIEW OR OPINIONS STATED DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT OFFICIAL OFFICE OF EDUCATION POSITION OR POLICY. INFANT REACTIVITY TO REDUNDANT PROPRIOCEPTIVE AND AUDITORY STIMULATION: A TWIN STUDY Leland D. Van den Daele "PERMISSION 10 REPRODUCE THIS COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL MS SEEN GRANTED BY EALLIALAINNak TO ERIC AND °ROAAIZATIONS OPERATING UNDER AGREEMENTS ITH THE U.S. OFFICE OF EDUCATION. FURTHER REPRODUCT;ON OUTSIDE THE ERIC SYSTEM REQUIRES PERMISSION OF THE COPYRIGHT OWNER?"' This Bulletin is a draft for interoffice circulation. Corrections and suggestions for revision are solicited. The Bulletin should not be cited as a reference without the specific permission of the author. It is automatically superseded upon formal publication of the material. Educational Testing Service Princeton, New Jersey February 1971