A computational model of infant sensorimotor exploration in the mobile paradigm
https://arxiv.org/pdf/2504.17939,
doi: https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2504.17939
- Apr 2025

We present a computational model of the mechanisms
that may determine infants' behavior in the "mobile paradigm".
This paradigm has been used in developmental psychology to
explore how infants learn the sensory effects of their actions. In this
paradigm, a mobile (an articulated and movable object hanging
above an infant's crib) is connected to one of the infant's limbs,
prompting the infant to preferentially move that "connected" limb.
This ability to detect a "sensorimotor contingency" is considered to
be a foundational cognitive ability in development. To understand
how infants learn sensorimotor contingencies, we built a model
that attempts to replicate infant behavior. Our model incorporates
a neural network, action-outcome prediction, exploration, motor
noise, preferred activity level, and biologically-inspired motor
control. We find that simulations with our model replicate the
classic findings in the literature showing preferential movement
of the connected limb. An interesting observation is that the
model sometimes exhibits a burst of movement after the mobile
is disconnected, casting light on a similar occasional finding in
infants. In addition to these general findings, the simulations
also replicate data from two recent more detailed studies using
a connection with the mobile that was either gradual or all-or-
none. A series of ablation studies further shows that the inclusion
of mechanisms of action-outcome prediction, exploration, motor
noise, and biologically-inspired motor control was essential for
the model to correctly replicate infant behavior. This suggests
that these components are also involved in infants' sensorimotor
learning.

@Article{SPWHO25b, author = {Spisak, Josua and Popescu, Sergiu Tcaci and Wermter, Stefan and Hoffman, Matej and O'Regan, John Kevin}, title = {A computational model of infant sensorimotor exploration in the mobile paradigm}, booktitle = {}, journal = {https://arxiv.org/pdf/2504.17939}, editors = {}, number = {}, volume = {}, pages = {}, year = {2025}, month = {Apr}, publisher = {}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2504.17939}, }