Final answer:
The first fear impact period, or stranger anxiety, occurs during infancy and is associated with the development of object permanence. It is a part of Erikson's trust versus mistrust stage and highlights the significance of responsive caregiving for a baby's sense of security.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first fear impact period, often referred to as stranger anxiety, typically occurs during the infancy stage of development. In Jean Piaget's view, this phase coincides with the development of object permanence. When babies begin to show signs of distress or fear around unfamiliar people, it is likely because they are unable to fit the stranger into their existing cognitive schema. This developmental stage is closely aligned with Erikson's stage of trust versus mistrust, which emphasizes the importance of caregiver responsiveness in creating a sense of security and trust during the first year of life.
Understanding that organogenesis, the formation of organs, occurs during the third to eighth week following fertilization, with critical developments like the heart beginning to beat around day 21, provides insight into the foundational processes at play during early developmental stages. It also helps illustrate the importance of the environmental context since exposure to teratogens like alcohol during sensitive periods can lead to harmful consequences, like fetal alcohol syndrome in the case of alcohol exposure.