What emotional response do infants typically show to novel individuals?

Infants typically show fear as a response to novel individuals, particularly when they are confronted with people they do not recognize. This reaction is part of an instinctual behavior known as "stranger anxiety," which usually develops around six months of age. Children are biologically predisposed to respond to unfamiliar faces with caution, as it serves as a protective mechanism to help ensure their safety in a world filled with unknowns.

In contrast, trust is generally a response that develops as infants become more familiar with their surroundings and the people within them. Frustration may be exhibited when infants encounter obstacles or are unable to express their needs but is not specifically related to novel individuals. Indifference can occur but usually reflects a lack of interest rather than a specific emotional response to strangers. This makes fear the most accurate answer when it comes to the typical emotional response to new people among infants.