Modeling Infant Behavior Development through Sensorimotor Dynamics

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K11495
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 59030:Physical education, and physical and health education-related
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Kanazawa Hoshinori 東京大学, 大学院情報理工学系研究科, 特任助教 (60744993)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 新生児 / 乳児 / 感覚運動学習 / 感覚運動ダイナミクス / 筋骨格 / シミュレーション

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study aimed to uncover how infants' spontaneous movements contribute the sensorimotor development, as well as the underlying mechanisms. Specifically, the research involved estimating muscle activity and sensory input from the spontaneous movements of human neonates and infants, revealing the specific patterns and changes created by these sensorimotor inputs and outputs. Additionally, a simplified method for measuring infant movements using a standard camera was proposed, instead of expensive and complex systems like infrared cameras. Furthermore, a model was developed to partially explain infant behavior development through simulation of motor learning. Overall, this research provides new insights into understanding and supporting the development of human neonatesn and infants.

Free Research Field

発達科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究の社会的意義は、新生児や乳児における感覚運動ダイナミクスの調査を通じて、発達初期に重要な役割を果たすメカニズムを理解することである。この理解が進むことで、発達障害の早期発見や適切な介入に役立ったり、あるいは育児支援に貢献したりする可能性がある。また、シミュレーションを利用してのみ解明できるメカニズムもあり、新たな科学的知見が発達心理学や神経科学の分野での基礎データとなり、医療や福祉の現場での発達支援にも役立つことが期待できる。