Question

As you look at your newborn niece Bethany, you wonder what facial expressions will appear first. Of the following, which lists the correct order of an infant's development of facial expressions?

a) Sadness, Surprise, Joy
b) Joy, Anger, Fear
c) Surprise, Joy, Disgust
d) Disgust, Anger, Happiness

Answer 1

An infant's development of facial expressions typically begins with joy, usually seen within the first few weeks as a reflex smile, followed by anger at around 4-6 months, and then fear at about 6-12 months.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct order of an infant's development of facial expressions is typically joy, anger, and fear. Infants typically show joy within the first few weeks of life through a spontaneous smile, often called a reflex smile. This is followed by expressions of anger that can occur around the age of 4-6 months as infants begin to express displeasure or frustration. As infants gain more experience with their surroundings, they start to exhibit fear which is usually noticeable by about 6-12 months, such as in responses to strangers (stranger anxiety) or new situations. This sequence supports the gradual maturation of the neural systems involved in emotional expression.

A baby's first smile is a notable milestone in infant development, signaling positive engagement with their environment, while the expressions of anger and fear become more discernible as the infant learns to respond to more complex stimuli and situations.