Certificate In Psychology (CPSY) Practice Exam

In newborns, the rooting reflex is described as:

1. Must be learned over the first few weeks of life.

2. Referring to the same behavior as nursing.

3. A reflex that causes the head to turn in the direction of a touch on the cheek.

4. A voluntary behavior the infant uses in order to locate the nipple while feeding.

The correct answer is: A reflex that causes the head to turn in the direction of a touch on the cheek.

The rooting reflex in newborns is indeed defined as a reflex that causes the baby’s head to turn in the direction of a touch on the cheek. This reflex is significant for feeding; when the baby's cheek is stroked or touched, the infant instinctively turns towards that direction and opens its mouth, which facilitates the breastfeeding process. This reflex is innate and automatic, allowing newborns to seek out and latch onto the nipple for nourishment, highlighting its importance in survival and bonding during the early stages of life. In contrast, other statements provide incorrect perspectives: learning the rooting reflex over the first few weeks misrepresents its innate nature; equating the reflex directly with nursing omits its specific mechanistic aspect; and describing it as a voluntary behavior contradicts its classification as a reflex, as reflexes occur without conscious thought or deliberate action. This distinction helps clarify the foundational role of reflexes in early development.