Question

Between birth and one year, infants are dependent on their caregivers; therefore, caregivers who are responsive and sensitive to their infant’s needs help their baby to develop a sense of the world as a safe, predictable place. What is the primary developmental task of this stage?

A) autonomy vs. shame/doubt
B) identity vs. confusion
C) industry vs. inferiority
D) trust vs. mistrust

Answer 1

D) trust vs. mistrust

Step-by-step explanation:

One of the famous psychologist named Erik Erikson has proposed the theory of psychosocial development in which he has given eight stages of development across the life span of an individual. Trust vs. mistrust is the very first stage in his theory.

Trust vs. mistrust: The trust vs. mistrust stage starts from the birth of a child and lasts through twelve months of age. In this stage, a child learns to develop trust in his or her parents or caregivers because he or she believes that they will complete the basic needs. When the parents and the caregivers respond to the needs of the child then the trust is being established between them.

If a child's need is not being fulfilled then the child might develop mistrust and due to this anxiety might develop.

In the question above, trust vs. mistrust is the primary developmental task of the given stage.