Final answer:
The first developmental stage of a human being, infancy, involves Erikson's trust vs. mistrust challenge, attachment processes, rapid physical growth, and the falling off of the umbilical cord's stub. Caregivers play a key role in the development of trust, and developing babies start to exhibit a decrease in helplessness as they grow.
Step-by-step explanation:
Characteristics of Infancy (Birth - 1 Year)
The first developmental stage of a human being is known as infancy, which spans from birth to the first birthday. During this period, one of the key psychological challenges is developing trust versus mistrust as proposed by Erikson (1963). When caregivers consistently meet an infant's needs, the child is likely to develop a sense of trust and view the world as a secure and predictable environment. However, if an infant's needs are not sufficiently met, this can result in feelings of anxiety and mistrust towards the world.
Physiologically, infancy is marked by rapid growth and development. Newborns, or neonates, may experience a slight weight loss during the first week but will soon begin to regain and rapidly increase in weight. The umbilical cord, which is cut shortly after birth, leaves behind a stub that will dry and fall off on its own, forming the navel. Aside from physical growth, infants progress through various motor, sensory, cognitive abilities, and the attachment processes which are crucial for their development and bonding with caregivers.
Given these characteristics, it can be inferred that both A (Erikson's trust vs. mistrust stage) and B (Bonding/attachment takes place) are characteristic for this stage. Additionally, C (Children exhibit a gradual decrease in helplessness) is also a trait of infancy as they acquire new abilities and become less dependent on caregivers over time. However, the statement D (Umbilical cord falling from the navel and the child regaining weight lost at birth) refers to events that occur shortly after birth, which is indeed part of the infancy stage, but not a developmental characteristic.