Certificate In Psychology (CPSY) Practice Exam

In sensorimotor substage 4, infants mainly coordinate reactions to:

1. Make interesting effects last

2. Avoid unpleasant consequences

3. Make interesting experiences last

4. Reach a goal

The correct answer is: Reach a goal

In the context of Piaget's theory of cognitive development, particularly during the sensorimotor stage, substage 4 is characterized by the development of goal-oriented behavior. During this stage, infants start to exhibit coordinated actions that are aimed at achieving specific outcomes. This is marked by the ability to organize their behavior in a way that allows them to reach a goal, such as successfully retrieving a toy that is out of reach or manipulating objects in their environment to fulfill their needs. This goal-directed behavior signifies an important developmental shift, as infants begin to show intentionality in their actions rather than merely reacting to the environment. While other options may reflect aspects of an infant's experience, such as maintaining interesting effects or experiences, the essence of substage 4 lies in the ability to systematically coordinate movements and actions with a clear purpose, particularly in problem-solving situations.