Moro reflex
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Physical reflexes that children are mostly innate. One of the physical reflexes that we are born with is moro reflex. Moro reflex is described as a sequence in which the infant flings its arms and then spreads its fingers, then the infant retracts into a fetal position by clinching its arms and fingers back (Kalat & Shiota, 2007). It has been speculated that this is a survival mechanism. The reflex is usually displayed in situations that suggest danger such as hearing loud noises, or seeing large figures moving toward them (Kalat & Shiota, 2007). According to Kalat and Shiota (2007), the use of moro reflex is useful in that the infant reaches to grab on and pull to anything preventing the infant from falling. Furthermore, if an infant grabs on to an adult then the adult can carry the child away from danger. A simpler understanding on what is Moro reflex is described as an extension response meaning that the extension of the arms is out on the side in right angles to the body, extension to the fingers, and frequent extension of the trunk and head (Hunt & Landis, 1938). This reaction should not be confused with fear. In simpler terms moro reflex can be a sudden reaction to a loud noise (Kalat & Shiota, 2007). For example, if people hear a loud noise people tend to blink their eyes immediately. In a study by Yoshinaga-Itano (1998), it is stated that the moro reflex should be something to be observed during the first months of life in order to make sure that the child has good auditory responses. This reaction does not mean that the person fears the noise; it is only a reaction to a surprise. All in all, moro reflex in young infants is only exhibited in response to sudden bright lights or loud noises or when they are dropped ( Kalat & Shiota, 2007). All in all, the moro reflex reaction can only be seen during the first 6 months of life. The reason is because it would be difficult to differentiate between fear and moro reflex since they demonstrate the same reactions. Also, by that time the child would have learned societal reactions to fear.
Example - Research
A study conducted by Weggemann, Brown, Fulford, & Minns (1987) looked to see if there was a correlation between positional deformities between babies that were immobile and mobile. They theorized that immobility and deformities correlate with each other and a squint baby syndrome could develop. The squint baby syndrome is syndromes is a misalignment of the eyes and are not looking in the same direction. It is not always present but it will go in an out throughout the day.
In a study, 25 normal Caucasian babies were the subjects. A gestational chart was used to determine that all babies were around the same age. There was a 4- hour observational period with two feeding periods in between. They observed the posture and movement between these periods. The babies were placed in a warm incubator to better observe their movements.
The observations were documented in an observational chart. Another way they documented their findings was through a movement mattress. The mattress recorded all the movements the baby made and later printed reports for the researchers. Lastly, they also recorded the movements by using photography that was triggered by movements the mattress recorded.
They grouped about 80 different movement patterns that the subjects were experiencing. One of them was the moro reflex movement. When the baby was exposed to a loud noise then the moro reflex was instantaneously viewed by the researcher. What was also discovered was that the moro reflex movement also triggered another reflex. The reflex that was triggered was the sucking reflex. Every time the infant’s hand neared the mouth, the child began a sucking movement.
The results indicated that after every feeding the infant seemed to be in a state of alertness with no facial expressions. While the baby slept there seemed to be a lot of movement going on in the body. There seemed to be a lot of jerking reflexes from the hands, feet, and mouth. Also, what occurred was that there were bizarre postures of the babies as the muscles seem to relax. Movements seemed to be significant during the period of arousal which was during the stimulus period. The arousal they displayed was influenced by their hunger state. The temperature and environment seemed to play a role in the type of movement the babies displayed. It was concluded that the spine was never symmetrical and that the spine always tilted to one side. But, neonatal babies had a difficult time changing their positions. These babies stayed in the same position their caregivers put them in. Therefore, what is discussed is that neonatal babies should be moved from time to time.
The importance of the study is that parents should be aware that new born babies need around the clock care. Because they are young their development depends on how the parents care for them. As the infant grows their mobility will increase and they could find their own resting position. The article did not talk about deformities in the cranial area, but it is believed that if a neonatal baby is not moved too often a baby’s head would become flat (Weggemann, Brown, Fulford, & Minns, 1987).
Example - Real-life
Moro reflex can occur when a caregiver holds the baby in a sitting position. Then the baby is only held by the hands. The caregiver lets go of the baby pretending to drop the child. Immediately the child demonstrates the hands reaching out and the fingers spreading to grab on to the care giver. That reflex usually lasts seconds after the child resumes a fetal position. This would be an example of moro reflex.
Another example of moro reflex could be when a child is in a sleeping state. The child usually does not suspect any interruption but if you move their feet or hands you can see a moro reflex. A child will demonstrate reaching with their hands trying to hold on something, but the entire time the child is sleeping. This would also prove that the reaction is an innate reaction.
References
Hunt, W., & Landis, C. (1938). A note on the difference between the Moro reflex and the startle pattern. Psychological Review, 45(3), 267-269. doi:10.1037/h0059938.
Kalat, J.W., & Shiota, M. N. (2007). Emotion. Belmont, CA: Thompson and Wadsworth.
Schachter, J. (1971). Heart rate responses to auditory clicks in neonates. Psychophysiology, 8(2), 163-179. doi:10.1111/j.1469-8986.1971.tb00448.x.
Weggemann, T., Brown, J., Fulford, G., & Minns, R. (1987). A study of normal baby movements. Child: Care, Health and Development, 13(1), 41-58. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2214.1987.tb00522.x.
Yoshinaga-Itano, C. (1998). Development of audition and speech: Implications for early intervention with infants who are deaf or hard of hearing. The Volta Review, 100(5), 212-234. Retrieved from PsycINFO database.
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