Describe the development of depth perception, giving the order of when depth cues emerge. Define both binocular and pictorial depth cues

What will be an ideal response?

Depth perception is the ability to judge the distance of objects from one another and from ourselves. It is important for understanding the layout of the environment and for guiding motor activity. Newborns focus and perceive color poorly. Motion is the first depth cue to which infants are sensitive. Babies 3 to 4 weeks old blink their eyes defensively when an object moves toward their face as if it is going to hit. Binocular depth cues arise because our two eyes have slightly different views of the visual field. The brain blends these two images, resulting in perception of depth. Sensitivity to binocular cues emerges between 2 and 3 months and improves rapidly over the first year. Finally, beginning at 3 to 4 months and strengthening between 5 and 7 months, babies display sensitivity to pictorial depth cues—the ones artists often use to make a painting look three-dimensional. Examples include receding lines that create the illusion of perspective, changes in texture, overlapping objects, and shadows cast on surfaces. Independent movement plays a vital role in the refinement of depth perception.