Which of the following is a basic emotion commonly expressed by six-month-old babies?

• A. Guilt
• B. Shame
• C. Joy
• D. Pride

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that basic emotions are universal and typically appear early in human development, often observable in infants around six months old.
2. Recall that basic emotions include joy, sadness, fear, anger, surprise, and disgust, which are distinct from self-conscious emotions like guilt, shame, and pride.
3. Recognize that self-conscious emotions such as guilt, shame, and pride require a sense of self and awareness of others' evaluations, which usually develop later in childhood.
4. Identify that among the options given, 'Joy' is a basic emotion that babies commonly express by six months of age.
5. Conclude that the correct answer is 'Joy' because it is a basic emotion observable in infants, unlike guilt, shame, or pride.