Certificate In Psychology (CPSY) Practice Exam

According to Piaget, infants aged 4 to 8 months act on the world primarily through:

1. Their inborn reflexes

2. Secondary circular reactions

3. Primary circular reactions

4. A well-developed understanding of object permanence

The correct answer is: Secondary circular reactions

The correct answer highlights Piaget's concept of secondary circular reactions, which occur in the sensorimotor stage of cognitive development. Infants aged 4 to 8 months begin to intentionally repeat actions that produce effects in the external environment, indicating a shift from purely reflexive behavior to more purposeful actions. During this phase, infants focus on their interactions with the world, engaging in behaviors that elicit responses from people or objects around them. Secondary circular reactions differ from primary circular reactions, which involve the infant's own body and are more about self-focused exploration. In the early months, infants primarily engage in primary circular reactions by repeating actions related to their own body, such as sucking their thumb. As they develop further, they start to explore the effects of their actions on the environment, demonstrating a broader awareness. While inborn reflexes play a critical role in the earliest months of life, they do not account for the intentional activities seen in this age group. Object permanence, which is the understanding that objects continue to exist even when out of sight, develops after this period and is typically evident around 8 to 12 months. Thus, secondary circular reactions represent this developmental stage where infants actively engage with and influence their surroundings, marking a crucial transition in their