Question

at what age can infants begin to express pleasure as laughter?

a.) 6 to 8 months

b.) 9 to 12 months

c.) birth to 1 month

d.) 3 to 5 months

Explanation:

Identify the developmental milestone

In Developmental Psychology, tracking emotional milestones is key to understanding infant social development. Laughter is a significant milestone representing positive emotional expression.

Analyze the typical timeline for infant laughter

Infants begin to show social smiles around 6 to 10 weeks of age. Laughter, which is a more complex vocal and emotional response, typically emerges shortly after, usually between 3 and 5 months of age (often around 4 months) in response to physical stimulation like tickling or active play.

Evaluate the given multiple-choice options

• a.) 6 to 8 months: Too late for the initial onset of laughter, though laughter becomes more socially sophisticated here.
• b.) 9 to 12 months: Much too late for the first emergence of laughter.
• c.) Birth to 1 month: Too early; infants only show physiological or reflexive smiles during this period.
• d.) 3 to 5 months: This range accurately captures the typical developmental window (around 3 to 4 months) when infants first begin to express pleasure through laughter.

Answer:

• a.) 6 to 8 months
• b.) 9 to 12 months
• c.) Birth to 1 month
• d.) 3 to 5 months (Correct answer)