Which statement best characterizes a feature of the sensorimotor stage?

Which statement best characterizes a feature of the sensorimotor stage?

• A. Deferred imitation emerges as memory strengthens
• B. Intentional actions begin to emerge
• C. Abstract reasoning develops rapidly
• D. Language is fully developed

Answer: (B)

In the sensorimotor stage, infants move from reflexive actions to purposeful, goal-directed behavior as they learn to coordinate their actions to achieve outcomes. This shift—beginning around 8 to 12 months when babies start coordinating actions to get a desired object or result—best captures the hallmark of this stage. It shows the emergence of intentionality rather than random or purely reflexive activity. Deferred imitation does appear later in this stage as memory and mental representation develop, but it isn’t the defining feature you’d expect to see first. Abstract reasoning is not yet present in the sensorimotor period; that develops later in other stages. Language is not fully developed during the sensorimotor stage either.

In the sensorimotor stage, infants move from reflexive actions to purposeful, goal-directed behavior as they learn to coordinate their actions to achieve outcomes. This shift—beginning around 8 to 12 months when babies start coordinating actions to get a desired object or result—best captures the hallmark of this stage. It shows the emergence of intentionality rather than random or purely reflexive activity.

Deferred imitation does appear later in this stage as memory and mental representation develop, but it isn’t the defining feature you’d expect to see first. Abstract reasoning is not yet present in the sensorimotor period; that develops later in other stages. Language is not fully developed during the sensorimotor stage either.