Final answer:
The statement that learning to cope with discomfort teaches an infant to trust themselves is false. Trust development in infancy is tied to caregiver responsiveness according to Erikson's theory of psychosocial development. Positive self-concept formation begins in toddlerhood and is essential for later competence and coping skills.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement is false. While it is important for an individual to learn to cope with discomfort, the concept related to an infant learning to trust themselves and their environment comes from Erikson's theory of psychosocial development. Erikson emphasized that the primary task during infancy is the issue of trust versus mistrust. Infants who have responsive and sensitive caregivers are able to develop a sense of trust and see the world as a safe, predictable place. Conversely, infants with unresponsive caregivers may experience anxiety, fear, and mistrust, perceiving the world as unpredictable.
Later in development, the formation of a positive self-concept begins in toddlerhood, which is crucial for healthy psychological development. This is when children start to assert their autonomy and gain confidence in their abilities. Successful navigation through this stage contributes to a person's ability to handle future challenges and develop further competencies. Furthermore, developing a theory-of-mind (TOM) allows older children to understand that others have different thoughts and feelings, a cognitive milestone absent in early infancy.