Which one of the following best illustrates the phenomenon of infantile amnesia as developmental theorists typically use the term?
Select one: A. Three-year-old Sasha often forgets to wash her hands after using the restroom. B. Three-week-old Ronald doesn’t yet recognize the sound of his mother’s voice. C. Ten-year-old Paulette can’t remember the party her parents had for her on her second birthday. D. Five-month-old Quincy seems surprised each time he wakes up and sees the mobile hanging over his crib, even though the mobile has been there for several weeks.
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is: C. Ten-year-old Paulette can’t remember the party her parents had for her on her second birthday.
Explanation:
Infantile amnesia refers to the inability of adults to recall memories from their early childhood, typically before the age of three to four years. This phenomenon is a well-documented aspect of human memory development, where experiences from infancy and early childhood are not stored in long-term memory or, if they are, they are inaccessible.
Paulette, at the age of ten, cannot remember her second birthday party. This is a clear illustration of infantile amnesia. The events from her early childhood, particularly those occurring before the age of three, are not available to her adult memory, even though the event was significant at the time. It is important to note that infantile amnesia is not due to any specific trauma or cognitive dysfunction but is a natural part of memory development.
The other options do not illustrate infantile amnesia:
- A. Three-year-old Sasha often forgets to wash her hands after using the restroom. This is an example of a behavioral lapse, not a memory issue related to early childhood events.
- B. Three-week-old Ronald doesn’t yet recognize the sound of his mother’s voice. This describes a developmental milestone in sensory processing, not an example of memory loss or infantile amnesia.
- D. Five-month-old Quincy seems surprised each time he wakes up and sees the mobile hanging over his crib, even though the mobile has been there for several weeks. This reflects Quincy’s cognitive development, particularly his ability to form new associations, but it doesn’t illustrate memory loss from early childhood.
Therefore, option C most accurately represents the concept of infantile amnesia.