Final answer:
The startle reflex, characterized by an infant spreading their arms and crying when experiencing a sensation of falling, is also known as the Moro reflex. This reflex, along with the grasping reflex, helps maintain contact with a caregiver, crucial for survival in infancy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The startle reflex in newborn infants is also known as the Moro reflex. This reflex is an automatic reaction to a sudden loss of support or the sensation of falling, characterized by the infant suddenly spreading their arms, bringing them back toward the body, and usually crying. The grasping reflex is another innate behavior in infants, which involves the instinctive grasping of a finger or object placed in their palm. Together, these reflexes facilitate survival in the critical early months of life by promoting close physical contact between the infant and the caregiver.
The "startle reflex" is also known as the Moro reflex. It is an instinctive behavior that is present in infants from birth until about three or four months of age. The Moro reflex occurs in response to a sudden loss of support and involves spreading out the arms, bringing them back in, and often crying. This reflex may help an infant reach out and grab onto their caregiver when they feel as though they are falling.