novelty preference task

a task in which an infant is shown a new object simultaneously with a familiar one. It is used in studies of infant cognition, based on the fact that infants will visually inspect a new object in preference to looking at a familiar object. The duration of the infant’s visual gaze is used to quantify attention, surprise, and novelty versus familiarity. This preference has also been called the discrepancy principle.

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Psychology term of the day

January 11th 2025

test marketing

research undertaken to assess consumer reactions to new or altered products. Companies often try to carry out this research discreetly so that competitors are unaware of any potential changes. On the basis of the results, products may be introduced into the general market, introduced after changes, or withdrawn.