Abstract

von Hofsten, C. (2012) Action in infancy: a foundation for cognitive development. W. Prinz (ed.) Action Science: The emergence of a new discipline. Cambridge, Mass: MIT-press, 255-279.



How does our ability to think and reflect on the world emerge? I like to argue that action is the foundation for cognitive development. It is essential for all aspects of cognition including social understanding. It reflects the motives of the child, the problems to be solved, the goals to be attained, and the constraints and possibilities of the child’s body and sensory-motor system. Actions are defined by goals and not the specific procedures by which they are implemented. They are initiated from within by motives and not from the outside as reactions. Most importantly, they anticipate what is going to happen next and prepare the organism for the upcoming events.