Final answer:
Psychosocial developments during infancy include the formation of attachment bonds with caregivers and the emergence of self-awareness, particularly seen in behaviors such as recognizing oneself in the mirror around 18 months of age.
Step-by-step explanation:
Psychosocial Developments During Infancy
During infancy, significant psychosocial developments are observed as infants begin forming relationships and learning to manage their feelings. A crucial milestone of this stage is the development of healthy attachments, which represent the deep and enduring emotional bonds that an infant forms with their caregivers. These attachments are essential for the infant's sense of security and will affect their future emotional and social development.
Attachment and Trust
According to Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, the first year of life is focused on the basic issue of 'trust versus mistrust.' Responsive and sensitive caregiving leads to trust, causing the baby to view the world as safe and predictable. On the contrary, neglectful or inconsistent caregiving may instill feelings of anxiety and mistrust.
Self-Concept Development
Another area of psychosocial development in infancy is the emergence of self-awareness. Infants initially do not have a self-concept, but by around 18 months, they start to recognize themselves in the mirror, as evidenced by the mirror test, where toddlers identify the reflection with the red dot on their nose as their own image.
Overall, the interactions with caregivers and the environment profoundly shape an infant's psychosocial growth, leading to foundational aspects of their personality and outlook on life.