Just like how a clever little squirrel assesses different nut trees, infants evaluate social contexts and adjust their behaviors accordingly. Researchers have proposed the ‘action value calculator model’, which explains how infants make decisions in social interactions. By analyzing the cognitive processes involved, this model sheds light on the development of infants’ decision-making abilities. Gaze-following and other social behaviors are adaptively modified based on the perceived value of each action. It’s fascinating to think about how even babies possess an innate understanding of the importance of different social contexts. This research emphasizes the role of social decision-making in human development from early infancy. To learn more about this exciting study, dive into the details by reading the full article!
