PSY210H5 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Decibel, Pacifier, Smooth Pursuit
Document Summary
Reflex: an involuntary response to external stimulation (page 118) Response strong throughout life: withdrawal reflex. Babinski: absence indicates lower spine deficits, disappears near end of first year. Palmar grasp: absence indicates depression, disappears between 3 and 4 months. The newborn has a repertoire of reflexes which are involuntary responses to external stimuli. Many of these reflexes have obvious value in helping the newborn survive. Many disappear during the first year of life. Tests of reflexes may be combined with other assessments to gauge the health, maturity, and capacities of a new born: often used just to make sure the child is developing properly. Two major states: sleeping (70% of the time, crying. Time spent in these states changes over course of development. Co-sleeping is controversial in n. america, but may reduce sids. Newborns spend considerably more time in rem sleep. Infant sleep is different than adult sleep: autostimulation theory: increases rem sleep required for brain development.
