Comparable performance on looking and reaching versions of the A-not-B task at 8 months of age

The neuropsychological model of A-not-B performance focuses on the maturation of the frontal lobe and the development of skills associated with working memory, inhibition, and attention. These cognitive skills are essential for A-not-B performance regardless of the search modality required to exhibit object knowledge. This study used a within-subjects design to examine 8-month-old infants' performance on looking and reaching versions of the A-not-B task. In both Experiment 1 (n = 62) and Experiment 2 (n = 47), there were no differences in A-not-B performance on looking and reaching versions of the task. These data suggest that the looking and reaching versions of the A-not-B task measure comparable cognitive abilities at 8 months of age.