According to Piaget, infants' behavior becomes purposeful (i.e., goal-directed) at around:
A) 12 months of age
B) 8 months of age
C) 4 months of age
D) 2 months of age

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Piaget believed that infants' behavior becomes purposeful at around 8 months of age, when they begin to use mental symbols (such as words or gestures) to represent objects and events in their environment. At this stage, infants can engage in "means-end" behavior, in which they intentionally act on the environment to achieve a desired outcome. For example, they may push a button to activate a toy or grab a blanket to cover themselves when they feel cold.

According to Piaget, Infants' Behavior Becomes Purposeful (I