2 ATTEMPTS TO CONDITION EYELID RESPONSES IN HUMAN INFANTS

The conditionability of the eyeblink response using a photocell method with human infants was explored. In one study, an experimental and control group each of 20 Ss were studied, the latter group being administered the CS and UCS under a backward conditioning procedure. The results showed a modest conditioning effect at mean age of 40.3 days to tonal stimulation. However, the infants did not produce many CRs, and the CRs did not gradually increase. In a second experiment, differential eyelid conditioning to tonal stimulation was studied in nine babies with mean age of 31 days. The result revealed a differential conditioning effect, although this phenomenon was again unstable. The data indicate the feasibility of studying such conditioning in young infants. Further studies employing similar techniques, and especially involving more trials over a longer age-span, appear warranted. © 1969.