Certificate In Psychology (CPSY) Practice Exam

What typically happens when a baby's own assessment of risk conflicts with their caregivers' social signals?

1. Babies listen to their caregivers

2. Babies attempt to elicit responses from another caregiver

3. Babies trust their own instincts

4. Babies freeze unnaturally and do nothing

The correct answer is: Babies attempt to elicit responses from another caregiver

When assessing the dynamic between a baby's risk assessment and their caregivers' social signals, it is crucial to understand that babies are naturally inclined to seek out reassurance and guidance from their caregivers. When a conflict arises between what the baby perceives as risky and what their caregivers communicate through social cues, the baby often engages in behaviors aimed at eliciting further responses or validation from another caregiver. This behavior highlights the social nature of infant development, where emotional and social cues play a vital role in how they navigate their environment. Babies are not developmentally equipped to entirely trust their own instincts over their caregivers’ cues in such scenarios; instead, they actively seek to resolve the dissonance by looking to others for guidance. This response allows them to form a better understanding of their surroundings and the appropriateness of their emotional reactions, thereby reinforcing their social learning and attachment processes.