Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of ball and socket joints?

The characteristic that is not associated with ball and socket joints is their primary focus on stability over motion. Ball and socket joints, such as the shoulder and hip, are known for their ability to allow a wide range of movement in multiple directions, including flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, and rotation. This provides them with a significant advantage in terms of flexibility and range of motion.

While ball and socket joints do offer some degree of stability due to their structure and surrounding muscles and ligaments, their defining feature is the extensive range of motion they provide. The combination of a spherical head (the ball) fitting into a cup-shaped cavity (the socket) allows for this versatility, but with it comes a degree of inherent instability compared to other joint types, such as hinge joints, which prioritize stability more. Therefore, while stability is a factor, it is not the primary characteristic that defines ball and socket joints, making it the correct choice for this question.