Final answer:
Infants in the stage of trust versus mistrust, as described by Erikson, require responsive caregiving to create a sense of trust in the world.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Erikson (1963), infancy is concerned with acquiring a sense of trust. The primary task of this stage is trust versus mistrust. Infants develop a sense of trust when their caregivers are responsive and meet their needs, creating a safe and predictable environment.
According to Erikson, infancy is concerned with acquiring a sense of trust. During this stage of development, which spans from birth to 12 months, the primary task an infant faces is trust versus mistrust. Infants rely heavily on their caregivers, and how caregivers respond to their infant's needs is critical in shaping the child's view of the world. Responsive and sensitive caregiving leads to the development of trust, seeing the world as a secure and predictable place. On the contrary, unresponsive caregiving that does not meet the infant's needs can cause feelings of anxiety, fear, and mistrust, with the infant potentially viewing the world as unpredictable and unsafe.