Which of the following is NOT a function of reflexes in infants?

Reflexes in infants serve several critical functions that are essential for their development and survival. They are involuntary responses that help babies interact with their environment and ensure they receive necessary care and nourishment. The primary functions of reflexes include facilitating exploration, supporting survival mechanisms, and promoting sensory development, as they allow infants to react instinctively to stimuli in their environment.

Exploration is encouraged through reflexive actions, as these responses (like grasping or rooting) help infants engage with their surroundings, learn about the world, and develop their motor skills. Reflexes, such as the startle reflex or the sucking reflex, also play a key role in survival, ensuring infants can feed and react to potential dangers. Moreover, as infants experience sensory reflexes, such as moving their head towards a sound, they are developing their sensory processing abilities.

In contrast, indicators of attachment are typically assessed through behavioral cues and interactions, rather than reflex actions. Attachment is a complex emotional bond that develops over time through responsive caregiving and social interactions, rather than being reliant on innate reflexes. Thus, while reflexes play crucial roles in several areas of infant development, they do not serve as direct indicators of attachment.