A survey of views about infant consciousness

A survey of neuroscientists, psychologists, philosophers, and other experts at two conferences on consciousness found that a majority believe newborn infants are conscious. A plurality of respondents think consciousness emerges prenatally after 24 weeks of gestation, while self-consciousness emerges postnatally after 6 months of age. Large majorities agree that infants have sensory and affective consciousness, but fewer think they have cognitive or agentive consciousness. A plurality locates the neural basis of infant consciousness in the sensory cortex. Most experts favor behavioral and neural markers, rather than theories of consciousness, as guides to studying infant consciousness.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Abstract We surveyed attendees at two leading conferences on consciousness, asking for their views on central issues concerning infant consciousness. These include questions about whether newborns are conscious, when consciousness and self-consciousness emerge, where in the brain the neural basis of infant consciousness is found, what sorts of consciousness infants may have, and how best to study infant consciousness, as well as questions about which creatures are conscious and which theories of consciousness are preferred. A majority of respondents favoured the view that newborns are conscious. Pluralities favored the view that consciousness emerges prenatally after 24 weeks of gestation and the view that self-consciousness emerges postnatally after 6 months of age. Large majorities favoured the views that infants have sensory and affective consciousness (with fewer favouring cognitive and agentive consciousness). A plurality favored the view that the neural basis of infant consciousness is in sensory cortex. Majorities favored behavioural and neural markers (but not theories of consciousness) as a guide to infant consciousness. Highlights of “A survey of views about infant consciousness” A survey of neuroscientists, psychologists, philosophers, and others. A large majority favors the view that newborn infants are conscious. A plurality favors late pre-natal emergence of consciousness. A plurality favors late post-natal emergence of self-consciousness. Majorities favor newborns having sensory and affective consciousness, but not cognitive or agentive consciousness.