Which substage of the sensorimotor period is described by repeating actions to produce interesting results first in the infant's own body?

• A. Secondary circular reactions
• B. Tertiary circular reactions
• C. Primary circular reactions
• D. Coordination of reactions

Answer: (C)

In this stage, learning comes through circular reactions that focus on the baby’s own body. The infant discovers that repeating certain actions produces interesting or soothing results, and these repetitions are centered on experiences inside the body rather than with objects in the world. This is primary circular reactions: a child explores and repeats self-directed actions, like sucking a thumb or amusedly wiggling fingers, because they feel good and the effect is self-produced.

This differs from later stages where the focus shifts to external objects and varying actions. For example, secondary circular reactions involve repeating actions to make something happen outside the body, tertiary circular reactions involve experimenting with new actions to see different outcomes, and coordination of reactions brings together different actions to solve problems and anticipate events.