Infants distinguish and represent pattern as an object feature from externally generated patterns superimposed on real, 3-dimensional objects' surfaces.

As infants form object representations, the patterns viewed on objects' surfaces may be challenging to decipher because these patterns may be created from the surface reflectance of an object (an object property) or from an external source, such as a cast shadow. We tested 7 ½-month-old infants' use of cues that specify the source of patterns seen on the surfaces of real, 3-dimensional objects to individuate those objects. Results suggest that when forming object representations based on patterns, 7½-month-olds rely heavily on temporal and depth cues to distinguish patterns inherent to the object from other types of patterns.