Which statement about animacy recognition is supported by core knowledge theory?

• A. 12-5 mo. can tell the difference between animate and inanimate objects
• B. Neonatal infants cannot distinguish animate from inanimate
• C. Only adults can tell the difference
• D. 6-12 months can tell the difference

Answer: (A)

Animacy recognition is considered an early, domain-specific understanding that infants bring with them. Core knowledge theory holds that infants are not blank slates; they have built-in expectations about living beings and agents, which guides how they perceive the world from a very young age. Empirical work shows that by roughly five months of age, infants can distinguish animate from inanimate objects, especially when motion and agency cues are involved, and this sensitivity persists through the first year.

Thus, stating that infants in the 5- to 12-month range can tell the difference fits with the idea that animacy knowledge emerges early and remains accessible as they grow. The other options overstate the limitations or timing: neonates show some predispositions but not robust animacy discrimination, adults are not the only group with this ability, and saying only 6–12 months can do it misses the early emergence around five months that the theory emphasizes.