Chapter 4: Problem 5

Explain how the reflexes that infants are born with help them adapt to their surroundings and protect them.

Short Answer

Expert verified

Infant reflexes, such as the sucking, grasp, and startle reflexes, play crucial roles in adaptation and protection. The sucking reflex lets infants find and consume nutrition, the grasp reflex could be a survival mechanism ensuring contact with the caregiver, and the startle reflex allows rapid response to potential threats, thereby providing safety.

Step by step solution

Identify Key Reflexes of Infants

First, list down the different types of reflexes infants are born with. These might include the sucking reflex, which lets them find a source of nutrition; the grasp reflex, which could be a primitive survival mechanism; and the startle (Moro) reflex, which responds to potential threats.

Explain the Adaptive Value of Each Reflex

Next, for each of the reflexes identified, explain how it helps the infant adapt to their surroundings. The sucking reflex, for instance, allows an infant to feed and thus survive; the grasp reflex might ensure the infant keeps hold of the mother; the startle reflex makes sure the infant responds swiftly to sudden changes in the environment.

Show How Reflexes Provide Protection

Last, illustrate how these reflexes protect the infant. For example, the startle reflex can help alert caregivers to the infant's needs or danger; the grasp reflex could prevent an infant from falling; and the sucking reflex ensures the infant can consume food even when not fully conscious or aware.

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Explain how the reflexes that infants are born with help them adapt to their surroundings and protect them.

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Identify Key Reflexes of Infants

Explain the Adaptive Value of Each Reflex

Show How Reflexes Provide Protection

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