Psychosocial development stage for infants is \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ - RRB Nsg. Superintendent-20 July 2019 (Shift-3rd)

RRB Nsg. Superintendent-20 July 2019 (Shift-3rd)

Applied Psychology

Easy

Appeared in: RRB Nsg. Superintendent-20 July 2019 (Shift-3rd)

Explanation

According to Erikson's theory, the first stage of psychosocial development, which occurs during infancy (birth to 18 months), is Trust vs. Mistrust.
During this stage, the infant's primary task is to develop a sense of trust in their caregivers and the environment.
Successful resolution of this stage, achieved through consistent and reliable care, results in the development of the basic virtue of hope.
Failure to resolve this conflict leads to mistrust, suspicion, and anxiety, which can impact future relationships.

Option A: This stage, more accurately termed Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt, is characteristic of toddlers (1-3 years), not infants.
Option C: This stage is characteristic of preschool-aged children (3-6 years), not infants.
Option D: This stage is characteristic of school-aged children (6-12 years), not infants.

Visual 1: Chart: A visual chart illustrating all eight of Erikson's stages of psychosocial development, with corresponding ages, crises, and virtues. This helps in memorizing the entire sequence.

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 trust in hospitalized infants by providing consistent care, responding promptly to their needs (crying, hunger), and encouraging parental presence and bonding.
Understanding this stage helps the nurse educate new parents on the importance of responsive caregiving to foster a secure attachment and healthy emotional development.
What if? If an infant is in the NICU with multiple caregivers and frequent painful procedures, they are at high risk for developing mistrust. The nursing action would be to establish a primary nurse, cluster care to minimize disturbances, and use comfort measures to build a sense of safety and trust.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key terms in the question: 'psychosocial development' and 'infants'. This points directly to a developmental theory.
Recall Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, which is a foundational concept in nursing and psychology.
Match the age group 'infants' (typically birth to 18 months) to the corresponding first stage of Erikson's theory.
Evaluate the options. 'Trust vs. Mistrust' is the first stage. The other options (Autonomy vs. Shame, Initiative vs. Guilt, Industry vs. Inferiority) correspond to later childhood stages (toddler, preschool, and school age, respectively).
Select 'Trust vs. Mistrust' as the only stage that applies to infancy.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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