Infant Manipulative Actions upon Customary and Uncustomary Objects in Independent and Joint Activity

1999

Eight 12 month‐olds acting on objects were observed in two sessions: 1) the objects were home objects; 2) they were brought by the observer as new exemplars of previous toys. Infants were observed manipulating objects independently and with their mothers. Type and cognitive level of infant's actions were coded. Conventional actions were more frequent in joint than independent activity. In independent activity, conventional actions were more frequent with customary objects. High cognitive level was more frequent with customary objects. Acting with an adult is the major influential factor in promoting conventional usage of an object. However, acting on customary objects influences both conven…