What is defined as an unlearned reaction in newborns?

In the context of developmental psychology, reflexes are defined as unlearned, automatic responses to specific stimuli. They are immediate reactions that are hardwired into the nervous system and do not require prior learning or experience. Newborns exhibit various reflexes, such as the rooting reflex, where they turn their head toward a stimulus that touches their cheek, or the grasp reflex, where they automatically grab an object placed in their hand.

These reflexes are critical for survival and are essential in the early stages of life, laying the groundwork for future voluntary movements and behaviors. Unlike conditioned responses, which involve learned associations through experience, reflexes are instinctual, ensuring that even newborns can respond to their environment without the need for training or previous exposure.

Other options, such as conditioned responses, refer to learned reactions dependent on previous experiences, while innate behaviors encompass a broader range of instinctual actions that may not necessarily be reflexive. A response mechanism is a general term that could apply to various types of responses, not specifically highlighting the unlearned nature of reflexes. Thus, reflexes stand out as the correct answer in this context.