Time Perception and Conditioning an Autonomic Response in Human Infants

Abstract

Conditioning of the autonomically regulated pupillary reflex was studied in young human infants, Sound as a CS was not effective for conditioning the pupillary reflex. Both time and time plus sound were effective CSs for establishing both conditioned pupil dilation and constriction. The results indicate a capacity in young human infants for accurately perceiving the passage of short intervals of time.