Certificate In Psychology (CPSY) Practice Exam

Toward the end of gestation, the fetus can hear:

1. very little since the uterus is a quiet place.

2. only the sounds of the mother's heart and her digestive system.

3. the sounds of the mother's body and some sounds from the outside world.

4. very little since the sense of hearing is poorly developed until after birth.

The correct answer is: the sounds of the mother's body and some sounds from the outside world.

The correct answer highlights that toward the end of gestation, the fetus can indeed hear the sounds of the mother's body as well as some external sounds. During the later stages of pregnancy, the fetus is exposed to various auditory stimuli, including the mother's heartbeat, her digestive sounds, and even noises from the outside environment, such as voices and music. Research shows that while the surrounding amniotic fluid and uterine wall can dampen external sounds, the baby can still pick up on these auditory cues. This ability to hear is crucial for the fetus as it begins to recognize the mother's voice and other sounds that may be comforting once born. Thus, the option correctly emphasizes both the internal and some limited external sounds that the fetus can hear, which supports a foundational aspect of social and emotional development as they prepare for life outside the womb.