During a routine immunization of a 2-month-old, the use of a pacifier demonstrates which Piagetian stage description?

During a routine immunization of a 2-month-old, the use of a pacifier demonstrates which Piagetian stage description?

• A. Sensorimotor development
• B. Preoperational development
• C. Concrete operational development
• D. Formal operational development

Answer: (A)

Infants think through actions and perceptions in the sensorimotor stage. At two months, the baby relies on reflexes and simple motor responses to interact with the world, rather than using symbols or logical reasoning. Sucking on a pacifier fits this stage because it is driven by a reflex and by the pleasure of the sensation, with the infant likely repeating the action as a basic way to soothe and explore via their own body and senses. This demonstrates how thinking is still tied to immediate physical experience and motor activity, not to internal representations or operations. The later stages involve growing ability to use symbols, plan, and reason about objects and events, which isn’t yet present at this age.

Infants think through actions and perceptions in the sensorimotor stage. At two months, the baby relies on reflexes and simple motor responses to interact with the world, rather than using symbols or logical reasoning. Sucking on a pacifier fits this stage because it is driven by a reflex and by the pleasure of the sensation, with the infant likely repeating the action as a basic way to soothe and explore via their own body and senses. This demonstrates how thinking is still tied to immediate physical experience and motor activity, not to internal representations or operations. The later stages involve growing ability to use symbols, plan, and reason about objects and events, which isn’t yet present at this age.