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Psychology 4051. Assessing Vision in Infants and Toddlers. Visual Evoked Potentials. VEP: EEG electrodes are attached to the scalp over the visual cortex to measure electrical activity. Visual Evoked Potentials.
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Psychology 4051 Assessing Vision in Infants and Toddlers
Visual Evoked Potentials • VEP: EEG electrodes are attached to the scalp over the visual cortex to measure electrical activity.
Visual Evoked Potentials • Electrical activity is measured while the child is presented with some form of visual pattern.
Visual Evoked Potentials • If the stimulus produces a electrical response, it is assumed that the stimulus can be detected. • If there is no electrical response, it is assumed that the stimulus can not be detected.
Types of VEPs • There are two types of VEPs. • Steady State VEPs • VEP response is measured as the subject is presented patterns that vary in spatial frequency. • Many different spatial frequencies are used. • The relationship between the strength of the response (amplitude) and the spatial frequency of the stimulus is examined closely.
Types of VEPs • Very precise. • This technique is rarely possible with infants. • Sweep VEPs • 10 to 20 spatial frequencies are presented in rapid succession during a 10 second sweep • The slope of the amplitude of the VEP response is determined. • The intercept to background noise is taken as an estimate of visual acuity.
Sweep VEP • Spatial Frequency • Background Noise
Sweep VEP • VEP
Sweep VEP • Amplitude: Strength of the response
Sweep VEPs • Slope
Sweep VEPs • Intercept: slope of the VEP response is equal to background noise level. • Provides the measure of visual acuity.
Advantages • Provides an objective measure of vision • Requires no behavioral response (minimal attention) • Procedure is very quick
Disadvantages • Equipment is expensive • Expertise is required. • E.g., electrode placement • Attachment of electrodes is difficult and can be disturbing to parents. • Testing can be time-consuming.
VEPs vs. Behavioral Methods • There is generally good agreement between VEPs and behavioral methods in adults. • In infants, VEPs usually provide superior results. • In behavioral methods, infants need to provide a clear behavioral response. • Responses probably reflect different underlying mechanisms.
VEPs vs. Behavioral Methods • Behavioral tests reflect what the infant chooses to look at.