Which emotion is typically recognized as being expressed by infants?

Happiness is widely recognized as one of the first emotions expressed by infants, typically manifesting through smiling and laughter. From an early age, babies exhibit cues of happiness as a form of communication, signaling pleasure or contentment. This early expression is vital for social bonding and interaction, fostering attachment between the caregiver and the infant.

While other emotions like guilt, shame, and jealousy are complex feelings that usually emerge as children grow older, happiness is innate and fundamental, easily observable in infants as they respond positively to social stimuli and their environment.