According to Erickson's psychosocial theory, what is the developmental task of a toddler?

Appeared in: TMC Staff Nurse - 2019

Explanation

According to Erikson's theory, the psychosocial crisis for a toddler (aged 1-3 years) is Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt.
This stage is characterized by the child's drive to develop a sense of independence, self-control, and personal will.
Key developmental milestones include learning to walk, talk, and control bodily functions (like toilet training), all of which contribute to a feeling of autonomy.
Successful navigation of this stage results in the virtue of 'will'. Failure or excessive criticism can lead to feelings of shame and doubt in their own abilities.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

Option B: Trust vs. Mistrust is the psychosocial crisis of infancy (birth to 1 year).
Option C: Industry vs. Inferiority is the psychosocial crisis of the school-age child (6 to 12 years).
Option D: Initiative vs. Guilt is the psychosocial crisis of the preschooler (3 to 6 years).

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Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Erikson's Stages of Psychosocial Development as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses can promote a toddler's sense of autonomy in a healthcare setting by offering simple, appropriate choices, such as which arm to use for a blood pressure reading or whether to take medicine from a cup or a syringe.
Encouraging parental presence and allowing the toddler to handle safe medical equipment (like a stethoscope) can reduce fear and increase cooperation.
Understanding this stage helps the nurse recognize that a toddler's negativism (saying 'no') is a normal part of development, not just defiance.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key terms in the question: 'Erickson's psychosocial theory' and 'toddler'.
Recall the typical age range for a toddler, which is approximately 1 to 3 years.
Access your knowledge of Erikson's eight stages of development and match the toddler age range to the corresponding psychosocial crisis.
Evaluate each option: 'Trust vs. Mistrust' is for infancy, 'Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt' is for toddlers, 'Initiative vs. Guilt' is for preschoolers, and 'Industry vs. Inferiority' is for school-age children.
Select the option that correctly matches the developmental task for the toddler age group.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Erikson's Stages of Psychosocial Development
Stem keywords: Erickson's psychosocial theory, developmental task, toddler
Lead-in keywords: what is

Question ID

QKPavPGIu7wF1CEGI62_zJ

Reference Book

E6 Robert Boland, Marcia L. Verduin - Kaplan and Sadock's Comprehensive Text of Psychiatry-Wolters Kluwer Health (2024) (pp 1-16525 of 16525) pp. 3059-3061, 3058-3060

E6 Kaplan Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry-2022 (pp 1-3768 of 3768) p. 3370-3372

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