Certificate In Psychology (CPSY) Practice Exam

Parents typically react with signs of anxiety when?

1. hearing their infants cry

2. carrying their infants

3. looking at their infants

4. feeding their infants

The correct answer is: hearing their infants cry

Parents often experience anxiety when they hear their infants cry because crying can be interpreted as a signal indicating that the child is in distress or needs something, such as food, comfort, or a change in environment. This instinctive reaction is rooted in the parental drive to ensure the well-being and safety of their child. Hearing an infant cry can trigger a heightened state of alertness, prompting parents to quickly assess the situation and respond appropriately to meet their child's needs. The other scenarios, such as carrying, looking at, or feeding the infant, typically promote feelings of connection and bonding, leading to a more calming experience for the parents. While these activities can also be challenging and may elicit stress in some cases, they do not generally provoke the same immediate anxiety response as hearing a baby cry does, as crying inherently suggests urgency and requires immediate attention.