Around what age do infants commonly begin to show fear of strangers?

• A. 2 months
• B. 6 months
• C. 8 months
• D. 12 months

Answer: (C)

Stranger fear emerges as infants form strong attachments and begin to distinguish familiar people from unfamiliar ones. As memory and social awareness develop, they often become wary when a new person approaches, especially if the caregiver isn’t immediately present. This tendency typically shows up around eight months, though some babies may start a bit earlier at six months and it can peak during the next few months. By two months, infants aren’t usually fearful of strangers, and by twelve months the reaction may still be present but is often intertwined with separation anxiety as routines become more established. So eight months is the most typical time for this fear to appear.