The shift from smiling as a reflexive behavior to a voluntary response coincides with the infant's developing ability to

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The ability to initiate goal-directed behaviors is related to the development of voluntary control over reflexive behaviors. As infants develop greater voluntary control over their movements, they also gain the ability to control their facial expressions, including smiling as a voluntary response rather than a reflexive behavior. This typically occurs around 2-3 months of age, and is facilitated by the maturation of the frontal cortex, which is involved in inhibitory control and intentional actions. The other choices (conveying basic emotional states, incorporating crying into the communication system, and displaying complex emotions) are important aspects of socioemotional development but are not directly related to the shift from reflexive to voluntary smiling behaviors.

The Shift from Smiling as a Reflexive Behavior to a Voluntary