According to Erikson, what is the central psychosocial task of the first year of life?
ADeveloping intimacy versus isolation in close relationships
BDeveloping a sense of identity versus role confusion
CDeveloping initiative versus guilt over self-started activities
DDeveloping a sense of trust versus mistrust toward the world
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: D. Developing a sense of trust versus mistrust toward the world
1. The chapter cites Erikson on the developmental task of infancy.
2. Erikson held that the first year of life is the key time for developing trust or mistrust.
3. A sense of trust grows from responsive and sensitive parenting and physical comfort.
4. Identity versus role confusion is the adolescent task, not the infant task.
5. Hence the first year task is trust versus mistrust.
_Source: NCERT Class 11 Psychology Ch 3 "Human Development", p. 48, Socio-emotional Development in Infancy_
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