Question

All of the following statements about Erikson's trust/mistrust stage are true except one. Which statement is FALSE?

A) The trust/mistrust stage is the first psychosocial stage in Erikson's theory of development.
B) This stage typically occurs during infancy, from birth to around 18 months.
C) According to Erikson, the development of trust is influenced by the consistency and reliability of caregiving.
D) Erikson's theory suggests that successful resolution of the trust/mistrust stage leads to the virtue of autonomy.

Answer 1

The false statement about Erikson's trust/mistrust stage is that successful resolution of it leads to the virtue of autonomy. The correct virtue associated with this stage is hope, while autonomy is related to the succeeding stage of development.

Step-by-step explanation:

Among the statements about Erikson's trust/mistrust stage, the false one is: D) Erikson's theory suggests that successful resolution of the trust/mistrust stage leads to the virtue of autonomy.

The trust/mistrust stage is indeed the first psychosocial stage in Erikson's theory of development, generally occurring during infancy, from birth to around 18 to 24 months, where the consistent and reliable caregiving influences the development of trust. Furthermore, successful resolution of this stage leads not to autonomy, but to the virtue of hope. It is in the following stage, known as autonomy versus shame and doubt, where the virtue of autonomy emerges.