A new parent is holding their baby. As they bring the baby close, their finger accidentally brushes against the baby's cheek. The baby immediately turns its head towards the finger and begins to make sucking motions. What does this scenario best illustrate?

The rooting reflex is an automatic response in newborns where they turn their head toward anything that touches their cheek. This action is typically followed by the baby beginning to suck, which helps them find a source of nourishment.

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There are various types of newborn reflexes including:
- Rooting Reflex
- Sucking Reflex
- Grasping Reflex
- Moro Reflex

Various Types of Newborn Reflexes

Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020, April 22). Psychology (2nd ed.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction

OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook

Rooting Reflex

The sucking reflex is an innate and unlearned behavior in infants, characterized by automatic sucking motions they make with their mouths. This reflex is a fundamental survival mechanism for feeding.

Sucking Reflex

The grasping reflex is an automatic response in newborns where they instinctively grasp any object that touches or stimulates their palms.

Grasping Reflex

The Moro reflex is a newborn's automatic reaction to the sensation of falling. In response, the baby will quickly spread out their arms, pull them back in toward their body, and typically begin to cry.

Moro Reflex

Read the following scenario and identify the three distinct, automatic responses demonstrated by the infant. For each response, name the behavior and describe the specific action or event that triggered it.

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