Assessing Infant Reflexes and answering questions

A. ASSESSING INFANT REFLEXES: In this project, you will gain experience assessing infant abilities and further develop your understanding of infant reflexes. The goal is to assess two infants, one aged 1 to 4 months and the other aged 6 to 12 months. For each infant, perform the stimulation necessary to elicit the reflexive behavior. Note which of the reflexes are present (P) or absent (A) for each infant. After performing the demonstration with each infant, you should answer the questions that follow.

                                                                                          Infant 1                  Infant 2

Reflex                        Stimulation and reflex                  Sex __ Age __      Sex__ Age __

Placing                        Backs of infant’s feet are

                                    drawn against a flat surface’s

                                    edge: Baby withdraws foot.                P/A                  P/A

Walking                      Hold baby under arms with

                                    bare feet touching flat surface:

                                    Baby makes step like motions

                                    that appear like coordinated walking.P/A                  P/A

Darwinian                   Stroke palm of infant’s hand:

(grasping)                    Baby makes strong fist; if both

                                    fists are closed around a stick,

                                    the infant could be raised to

                                    standing position.                                P/A                  P/A

Tonic neck                  Baby is laid down on back:

                                    Infant turns head to one side and

                                    extends arms and legs on preferred

                                    side and flexes opposite limbs.           P/A                  P/A

Moro (startle)              Make a sudden, loud noise near

                                    infant: Infant extends legs, arms,

                                    and fingers, arches back, and

                                    draws back head.                                P/A                  P/A

Babinski                      Stroke sole of baby’s foot: Infant’s

                                    toes fan out and foot twists in            P/A                  P/A

Rooting                       Stroke baby’s cheek with one’s

                                    finger: Baby’s head turns, mouth

                                    opens, and sucking movements beginP/A                  P/A

1. How many of the reflexive behaviors were exhibited by the younger infant? By the older infant?

2. Which reflexes dropped out early?

3. What responses seem to replace each of the reflexive behaviors in the older infant?

4. What might be the adaptive value of each reflex in the infant’s repertoire?