Chapter 1. Infant Reflexes

Synopsis

Human Development Video Activity

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You must read each slide, and complete any questions on the slide, in sequence.

reflex

An unlearned, automatic, almost instantaneous response to a stimulus.

Infant Reflexes

Author

S. Stavros Valenti, Hofstra University

Synopsis

In this activity, you will see videos of the Babinski, breathing, stepping, eyeblink, grasping, Moro, rooting, and sucking reflexes. After watching the video clips and reading descriptions of these infant actions, you will have an opportunity to apply your new knowledge by identifying some of these reflexes.

REFERENCES

Cole, M., & Cole, S. (2001). The development of children (4th ed.). New York: Worth Publishers.

Do Newborns Have Survival Skills?

Compared to the newborns of other species, human babies are much less developed at the time of birth and are, therefore, more dependent on adults for their care. In spite of this fact, an infant is not completely incompetent. All babies come into the world with specific ways of reacting to certain kinds of stimulation. A baby will turn her head when her cheek is stroked, and she will suck when a nipple is placed in her mouth. If milk flows from the nipple, the baby will automatically swallow. This may not seem like much of an accomplishment, but remember that a baby does all of this and more on the first day of life!

These automatic reactions to specific stimuli are called reflexes. While developmental psychologists disagree on the nature of these early reflexes and how they contribute to later development, they all agree that early reflexes are important building blocks for more complex actions that develop later. In addition, the presence of particular reflexes can serve as indicators of physical health to health care professionals.

In this activity, you will see examples of eight reflexive behaviors along with descriptions of why they are important and when they appear in development. After you become familiar with these reflexes, you will have a chance to identify them in some videos of newborns.

Some of the Reflexes Present at Birth

Developmentalists have identified a variety of reflexes that humans have at birth. Go through the screens to play the videos demonstrating each reflex. Examine their developmental course and note how these responses help newborns survive.

Babinski reflex
breathing reflex
stepping reflex
eyeblink reflex
grasping reflex
Moro reflex
rooting reflex
sucking reflex

Babinski Reflex

Description

When someone strokes the bottom of the baby’s foot, the toes fan out and then curl.

Developmental Course

Disappears in 8 to 12 months

Significance

Its presence at birth and its normal course of decline are a basic index of normal neurological condition.

Breathing Reflex

Description

The rhythmic intake and expulsion of air

Developmental Course

Permanent

Significance

Sustains life by providing oxygen, which is necessary for metabolism, and by removing carbon dioxide, which is a metabolic waste product, from the blood

Stepping Reflex

Note: video has no audio.

Description

When a baby is held upright over a flat surface, she makes rhythmic leg movements.

Developmental Course

Disappears in first 2 ‐ 3 months but can be reinstated in special contexts

Significance

Its meaning is somewhat disputed. It may be only a kicking motion, or it may be a component of later voluntary walking.

Eyeblink Reflex

Note: video has no audio.

Description

Rapid closing of the eye

Developmental Course

Permanent

Significance

Protects the eye from invasive stimuli, such as bright lights and foreign objects

Grasping Reflex

Description

When someone presses a finger or some other object against the baby’s palm, her fingers close around it.

Developmental Course

Disappears in 3 to 4 months and is replaced by voluntary grasping

Significance

Its presence at birth and later disappearance is a basic sign of normal neurological development.

Moro Reflex

Description

If a baby is allowed to drop unexpectedly while being held or is exposed to a loud noise, he will throw his arms outward while arching his back and then bring his arms together as if grasping something.

Developmental Course

Disappears in 6 to 7 months although a startle response to loud noises is permanent

Significance

Its meaning is somewhat disputed. Its presence at birth and later disappearance are a basic sign of normal neurological development.

Rooting Reflex

Note: video has no audio.

Description

When touched on the cheek, the baby turns her head in the direction of the stimulation and opens her mouth.

Developmental Course

Disappears between 3 and 6 months

Significance

A component of nursing

Sucking Reflex

Description

When something is put into his mouth, the baby sucks.

Developmental Course

Disappears and is replaced by voluntary sucking

Significance

Fundamental component of nursing

Identify the Reflex

Note: video has no audio.

Here is the first example of a newborn’s reflex. Play the video to watch the newborn, then select the reflex that you observe in the video clip.

^{Thumbnail Photo Credits: Worth Publishers}

Question 1.1

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Correct! The infant in this video clip is displaying the stepping reflex.

Sorry. The infant in this video clip is displaying the stepping reflex.

Identify the Reflex

Here is the second example of a newborn’s reflex. Play the video to watch the newborn, then select the reflex that you observe in the video clip.

^{Thumbnail Photo Credits: Worth Publishers}

Question 1.2

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Correct! The infant in this video clip is displaying the grasping reflex.

Sorry. The infant in this video clip is displaying the grasping reflex.

Identify the Reflex

Here is the third and final example of a newborn’s reflex. Play the video to watch the newborn, then select the reflex that you observe in the video clip.

^{Thumbnail Photo Credits: Worth Publishers}

Question 1.3

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Correct! The infant in this video clip is displaying the Babinski reflex.

Sorry. The infant in this video clip is displaying the Babinski reflex.

Assessment: Check Your Understanding

Question 1.4

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Correct! The Babinski reflex, which is the fanning out of the toes when the bottom of the foot is stroked, disappears in 8 to 12 months.

Sorry. The Babinski reflex, which is the fanning out of the toes when the bottom of the foot is stroked, disappears in 8 to 12 months.

Assessment: Check Your Understanding

Question 1.5

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Correct! The stepping reflex generally disappears after 2 ‐ 3 months of age, but under certain circumstances, such as when an infant is partially submerged under water, newborns exhibit a stepping reflex even when they are older than 2 to 3 months of age.

Sorry. The stepping reflex generally disappears after 2 ‐ 3 months of age, but under certain circumstances, such as when an infant is partially submerged under water, newborns exhibit a stepping reflex even when they are older than 2 to 3 months of age.

Assessment: Check Your Understanding

Question 1.6

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Correct! This is the definition of the rooting reflex.

Sorry. This is the definition of the rooting reflex.

Assessment: Check Your Understanding

Question 1.7

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Correct! The sucking reflex occurs when something is placed into the baby's mouth.

Sorry. The sucking reflex occurs when something is placed into the baby's mouth.

Assessment: Check Your Understanding

A friend of yours has just had her first baby, and she knows that her baby has certain automatic reflexes that will help him survive. She does not know what those reflexes are, and she has asked you to tell her about them because she knows you are interested in how humans develop.

Question 1.8

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The discussion of reflexes that disappear should include a description of the Babinski reflex, the crawling reflex, the grasping reflex, the Moro reflex, the rooting reflex, and the sucking reflex. The discussion of permanent reflexes should describe the breathing and eyeblink reflexes.

Congratulations! You have completed this activity.Total Score: x out of x points (x%) You have received a provisional score for your essay answers, which have been submitted to your instructor.