Which of the following is one of Erikson's psychosocial stages?

Which of the following is one of Erikson's psychosocial stages?

• A. Trust vs Mistrust
• B. Oral stage
• C. Sensorimotor stage
• D. Formal Operational

Answer: (A)

This question tests knowledge of Erikson’s psychosocial stages, focusing on the very early period of development. In infancy, the central task is establishing basic trust through consistent, responsive caregiving. When a caregiver reliably meets an infant’s needs—feeding, soothing, safety—the child learns that the world is dependable and people can be trusted, producing a sense of hope and security. If care is inconsistent or neglectful, mistrust can develop, leading to fear and uncertainty about the environment and others. This stage lays the groundwork for all later relationships and emotional resilience. The other options come from different theories. The oral stage is from Freud’s psychosexual stages, emphasizing pleasure from the mouth in early life rather than social trust. The sensorimotor stage is from Piaget’s cognitive development theory, describing how infants learn about the world through movement and senses. The formal operational stage is also from Piaget, marking the development of abstract thinking in adolescence.

This question tests knowledge of Erikson’s psychosocial stages, focusing on the very early period of development. In infancy, the central task is establishing basic trust through consistent, responsive caregiving. When a caregiver reliably meets an infant’s needs—feeding, soothing, safety—the child learns that the world is dependable and people can be trusted, producing a sense of hope and security. If care is inconsistent or neglectful, mistrust can develop, leading to fear and uncertainty about the environment and others. This stage lays the groundwork for all later relationships and emotional resilience.

The other options come from different theories. The oral stage is from Freud’s psychosexual stages, emphasizing pleasure from the mouth in early life rather than social trust. The sensorimotor stage is from Piaget’s cognitive development theory, describing how infants learn about the world through movement and senses. The formal operational stage is also from Piaget, marking the development of abstract thinking in adolescence.