Which of the following statements is true regarding behavioral differences in newborns?

Behavior can vary with gestational maturity because the development of the nervous system and the physiological systems in newborns correlates closely with their gestational age. Newborns born at different gestational ages exhibit different patterns of behavior, including reflexes, states of alertness, and responses to stimuli. For example, preterm infants may display less organized sleep-wake cycles and less responsiveness compared to those born at full term, reflecting their developmental stage. This variability is a key consideration in neonatal care, as understanding these differences helps healthcare providers tailor their approaches to meet the needs of each infant according to their maturity level.

The other options misrepresent the complexities of newborn behavior: stating that all newborns behave identically ignores the variations observed due to individual differences and developmental stages, suggesting that gestational age has no impact on behavior overlooks the established understanding that behavior is closely linked to neurological maturity, and the idea that behavior is solely dictated by environmental factors neglects the significant influence of biological maturation.