Stranger anxiety in infants aged 7-9 months is most closely related to which development?

Stranger anxiety in infants aged 7-9 months is closely related to increased memory. During this developmental stage, infants are progressing in their cognitive abilities, which includes the development of memory. As they start to recognize familiar faces and differentiate them from unfamiliar ones, they develop a sense of trust or security with known individuals. When they encounter strangers, the unfamiliarity can trigger feelings of anxiety or fear, as the infant is not able to recall previous positive interactions with that person.

This increased ability to remember and recognize familiar caregivers and environments highlights their growing cognitive skills and understanding of social relationships. In this context, infants are not just responding to the presence of strangers but are actively recalling past experiences and making judgments based on those memories. Therefore, stranger anxiety serves as a crucial indicator of a child's cognitive and emotional development as they navigate their world and build attachments.