Extent of postnatal shaping of initial knowledge

Determine the extent to which initial cognitive knowledge in newborn animals is shaped by postnatal learning, beyond exposure to natural environments, by systematically manipulating early experiences and measuring resulting changes in core inductive biases such as object permanence.

Background

The authors argue that virtual reality enables precise control over early experiences to test how learning influences core cognitive abilities. Most existing studies have examined subjects raised in natural environments, limiting insight into how much initial knowledge reflects postnatal learning versus prenatal processes.

They explicitly state that the degree to which initial knowledge is shaped by postnatal learning is currently unknown, motivating systematic experimental manipulations using VR-controlled rearing.