What was the visual cliff experiment designed to test?

The visual cliff experiment was designed to test an infant's depth perception. This classic study, conducted by Eleanor Gibson and Richard Walk in the 1960s, involved a glass surface that created an illusion of a steep drop-off, simulating a cliff. The goal was to investigate whether infants could perceive depth and, consequently, if they would show hesitation or fear when placed near the "edge" of the cliff.

Through the experiment, researchers observed that infants who had begun to crawl were more likely to avoid the "cliff" area, indicating that they had developed a sense of depth perception and an understanding of the potential danger associated with falling. This suggests that even at a young age, infants have the ability to interpret visual cues about their environment and assess risks based on those cues.

The other options do not align with the primary focus of the visual cliff experiment. While language development, social development, and emotional responses are important aspects of psychological growth, the visual cliff specifically addresses the development of visual perception and the ability to navigate space safely, emphasizing its role in an infant's understanding of the world around them.