Certificate In Psychology (CPSY) Practice Exam

Parents tend to interact more frequently and lovingly with babies who are what?

1. Premature.

2. Physically attractive.

3. Small.

4. Physically handicapped.

The correct answer is: Physically attractive.

The most accurate answer reflects the tendency of parents to interact more frequently and lovingly with physically attractive babies. Research in psychology has shown that physical attractiveness can evoke a more positive response from caregivers, leading them to engage more lovingly with infants perceived as attractive. This phenomenon can stem from societal biases, where individuals who fit societal standards of beauty often receive more attention and affection. This interaction is significant because it highlights how parental attitudes and behaviors can be influenced by perceptions of attractiveness, potentially shaping the child's social experiences and self-esteem in later development stages. Understanding this dynamic is crucial in psychology, as it raises questions about how these interactions contribute to the emotional and cognitive development of the child. In contrast, while premature babies, small babies, and physically handicapped babies may elicit strong emotional responses from parents, the interaction may not be as consistently based on the perceptions of attractiveness as it is with physically attractive infants. Therefore, option B captures a broader trend observed across various studies in developmental psychology.