Visual memory at birth.

Two experiments are described whose aim was to explore the new-born baby's capacity for forming visual memories. An habituation procedure was used that accommodated individual differences by allowing each infant to control the time course of the habituation trials. In Expt 1 an habituation-dishabituation paradigm was used, and in Expt 2 subjects were given paired presentation of novel and familiar stimuli following attainment of the criterion of habituation. In both experiments a significant novelty preference was found, and the results provide strong evidence that recognition memory can be reliably demonstrated from birth.