What are the most obvious organized patterns of behavior in a newborn baby?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Reflexes. Reflexes are automatic, involuntary responses to specific stimuli and are the most obvious organized patterns of behavior in a newborn baby. Examples of newborn reflexes include sucking, rooting, grasping, and the Moro reflex. These reflexes are crucial for the newborn's survival and overall development. Choice B, states of arousal, refers to different levels of consciousness and responsiveness, not organized behavior patterns. Choice C, shrill cries, is a form of communication and not an organized behavior pattern. Choice D, sleep patterns, while important for newborns, are not the most obvious organized behavior patterns.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Newborn infants who are brain damaged or who have experienced birth trauma often display disturbed REM-NREM sleep cycles. This disruption in the sleep cycle can be a sign of neurological issues and can impact the newborn's overall health and development. Choice B is incorrect because infants with brain damage or birth trauma may actually cry more due to their discomfort or neurological issues. Choice C is incorrect because spending about 20 percent of total sleep time in REM sleep is not necessarily specific to brain-damaged or birth-traumatized infants. Choice D is incorrect because having very low or inaudible cries is not a common characteristic associated with brain damage or birth trauma in infants.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: When Western parents aim to soothe a crying baby, the technique they usually try first is lifting the baby to the shoulder and rocking or walking. This method is effective because the motion and closeness provided by rocking or walking can help calm the baby and offer comfort. Choice A is incorrect as massaging the baby's body is not typically the first technique used. Choice B is incorrect as offering a pacifier and a receiving blanket may be tried after lifting the baby to the shoulder. Choice C is also incorrect as playing recorded sounds is usually not the initial technique attempted.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Research on newborn taste preferences has found that not until around 4 months of age do babies start to show a preference for a salty taste over plain water. This indicates that newborns do have some ability to distinguish tastes, contrary to the statement in option A. The statement in option C that newborns prefer the taste of formula to breast milk is not supported by research on newborn taste preferences. Option D, stating that babies relax their facial muscles in response to sour tastes, is also not a supported statement regarding newborn taste preferences.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Unlike adults, newborn babies see nearby objects most clearly. This is due to the fact that newborns have a limited ability to focus their eyes on objects that are farther away. Their visual acuity is not fully developed at birth, leading to clearer vision of objects situated at a close distance. Choice A is incorrect because newborn babies have a well-developed sense of smell. Choice C is incorrect as newborns typically show a preference for familiar voices, such as their mother's voice. Choice D is incorrect as newborns do not see unclearly across a wide range of distances; rather, their vision is clearer for nearby objects.