ABSTRACT
Adaptive processes characterize the development of the human infant, and learning in infants has been analyzed previously by numerous skilled discussants including Y. Brackbill and M. Koltsova. Interest in the complex structures of both stimulus situation and thought processes involved in the integration of adaptive responses obviously had roots similar to the developmental concepts formulated in systems theory, in comparative psychology, and to some extent in the epistemology of Piaget. Infant psychology is ultimately important for its examination of individual differences. Individual infants differ not only along quantitative dimensions but all in their qualitative behavioral strategies. The adaptive aspect of head movements can be varied so as to serve as an instrumental act for obtaining food, switching on visual displays, or avoiding unpleasant stimulation. Infants also use head movements adaptively by simply distributing their attention either to facilitate information input in novel situations or to avoid distressing forms of stimulation.
