In infants, which ability is specifically related to recognizing the caregiver's voice?

In infants, which ability is specifically related to recognizing the caregiver's voice?

• A. Sensitivity to pitch and rhythm
• B. Recognition of caregiver's voice
• C. Rhythmic movement responses
• D. Preference for consonance

Answer: (B)

Infants show a specialized sensitivity to who is speaking, not just to the sound features of speech or music. From birth, babies prefer their caregiver’s voice and can distinguish it from a stranger’s, using cues like timbre, pitch, and rhythm to identify the familiar voice. This ability to recognize the caregiver’s voice supports bonding, soothing, and attachment, making it the most specific skill related to identifying who is speaking. The other options describe broader auditory or musical processing (general pitch and rhythm sensitivity, responses to rhythm, or preferences for consonance) that are not about recognizing a particular person’s voice.

Infants show a specialized sensitivity to who is speaking, not just to the sound features of speech or music. From birth, babies prefer their caregiver’s voice and can distinguish it from a stranger’s, using cues like timbre, pitch, and rhythm to identify the familiar voice. This ability to recognize the caregiver’s voice supports bonding, soothing, and attachment, making it the most specific skill related to identifying who is speaking. The other options describe broader auditory or musical processing (general pitch and rhythm sensitivity, responses to rhythm, or preferences for consonance) that are not about recognizing a particular person’s voice.