Question

When an unknown adult tries to pick up a 9-month-old infant, the infant draws away from the adult and expresses fear of that person. This is referred to as

• A. Self conscious emotion
• B. Empathy
• C. Separation fear
• D. Stranger anxiety

Hint:

Stranger Anxiety emerges around 6--9 months when infants show distress/fear towards unfamiliar people. Separation Anxiety emerges around 8--14 months.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Infant socio-emotional developmental milestones include fear responses triggered by unfamiliar individuals.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Stranger Anxiety is a normal, universal socio-emotional developmental milestone that emerges in infants between 6 to 12 months of age (peaking around 8--10 months).
It reflects the infant's increasing cognitive capacity to distinguish familiar primary caregivers from unfamiliar faces and represents secure attachment to parents.

Step 3: Final Answer:
Thus, this fear reaction is referred to as Stranger anxiety, matching option (D).