At what age does an infant first recognize their mother's voice?

• A. Three months
• B. One week
• C. One day
• D. One month

Answer: (C)

The correct answer is that an infant first recognizes their mother's voice at one week of age. Research in developmental psychology has shown that newborns have remarkable capabilities right from birth, particularly in auditory perception. In the early days after birth, infants are able to distinguish sounds and show a preference for their mother's voice due to familiarity with the maternal voice that they heard while in the womb. This early recognition plays a crucial role in bonding and attachment.

In contrast, while some studies indicate that newborns can respond to voices and sounds shortly after birth, full recognition and differentiation typically occur within the first week. This capability is tied to the infant's exposure to their mother's voice even before birth. This early auditory recognition is an essential aspect of the beginning of communication and social interaction in infancy.