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Comment
. 2023 May 8:46:e73.
doi: 10.1017/S0140525X2200187X.

Heightened fearfulness in infants is not adaptive

Marissa Ogren  1 , Lisa Feldman Barrett  2   3   4 , Katie Hoemann  5 , Vanessa LoBue  1
Affiliations
Comment

Heightened fearfulness in infants is not adaptive

Marissa Ogren et al. Behav Brain Sci. .

Abstract

Grossmann proposes the "fearful ape hypothesis," suggesting that heightened fearfulness in early life is evolutionarily adaptive. We question this claim with evidence that (1) perceived fearfulness in children is associated with negative, not positive long-term outcomes; (2) caregivers are responsive to all affective behaviors, not just those perceived as fearful; and (3) caregiver responsiveness serves to reduce perceived fearfulness.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest: None

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References

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