Which term describes specific patterns of motor responses triggered by sensory stimulation?

• A. Reflexes
• B. Instincts
• C. Reactions
• D. Responses

Answer: (A)

The term that accurately describes specific patterns of motor responses triggered by sensory stimulation is "reflexes." Reflexes are automatic and involuntary responses to certain stimuli, and they are crucial in early child development as they demonstrate how infants interact with their environment. For example, when an infant's foot touches a surface, they might automatically curl their toes, which is a reflexive action.

Reflexes are fundamentally different from instincts and reactions; instincts are innate behaviors that involve complex sequences and are often more goal-directed, while reactions can be broader and may not necessarily be automatic. The term "responses" is also too vague, as it encompasses a variety of actions that are not strictly reflexive. Therefore, reflexes stand out as the precise term that indicates these specific, automatic motions induced by sensory events.