Identify Erikson's first psychosocial stage and its approximate age range.

Identify Erikson's first psychosocial stage and its approximate age range.

• A. Trust versus Mistrust
• B. Autonomy versus Shame
• C. Initiative versus Guilt
• D. Industry versus Inferiority

Answer: (A)

In Erikson's theory, the very first psychosocial challenge for an infant is to develop trust. This happens from birth to about 18 months (roughly the first two years). When caregivers provide consistent, responsive care—meeting basic needs like feeding, soothing, and safety—the infant learns that the world is dependable and people can be trusted, forming a foundation of basic trust. If care is inconsistent or neglectful, the infant may develop mistrust, sensing the world as unpredictable or unsafe. The other stages listed occur later: autonomy versus shame in the toddler years, initiative versus guilt in early childhood, and industry versus inferiority in school-age years. So the best match for the first stage and its approximate age range is trust versus mistrust, birth to about 18 months.

In Erikson's theory, the very first psychosocial challenge for an infant is to develop trust. This happens from birth to about 18 months (roughly the first two years). When caregivers provide consistent, responsive care—meeting basic needs like feeding, soothing, and safety—the infant learns that the world is dependable and people can be trusted, forming a foundation of basic trust. If care is inconsistent or neglectful, the infant may develop mistrust, sensing the world as unpredictable or unsafe. The other stages listed occur later: autonomy versus shame in the toddler years, initiative versus guilt in early childhood, and industry versus inferiority in school-age years. So the best match for the first stage and its approximate age range is trust versus mistrust, birth to about 18 months.