Which of the following is the psychosocial development during the infancy period?

Appeared in: RUHS, Jaipur, PB B.Sc Nursing Entrance-2020

Explanation

According to Erikson's theory, the first stage of psychosocial development is Trust vs. Mistrust.
This stage occurs during infancy, from birth to approximately 18 months.
The central task is for the infant to develop trust in their caregivers through consistent and reliable care, leading to the virtue of hope.
If care is inadequate or inconsistent, the infant develops a sense of mistrust, anxiety, and suspicion about the world.

Option B: This stage, Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt, is characteristic of the toddler years (1 to 3 years), not infancy.
Option C: This stage, Initiative vs. Guilt, occurs during the preschool years (3 to 6 years).
Option D: This stage, Industry vs. Inferiority, corresponds to the school-age years (6 to 12 years).

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.
Understanding Erikson's stages helps nurses provide age-appropriate care that supports healthy psychosocial development. For an infant, this includes encouraging parent-infant bonding and ensuring needs are met promptly to foster trust.
Nurses can educate parents about developmental milestones. For instance, explaining to new parents that their infant's crying is a form of communication and responding to it builds trust is a key intervention.
What if? If a hospitalized 2-year-old (toddler) suddenly starts refusing to feed themselves and wants a bottle, a nurse recognizing the stage of Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt would understand this is likely regression due to the stress of illness and loss of control. The nursing approach would be to offer limited, simple choices to restore a sense of autonomy, rather than punishing the regressive behavior.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key terms in the question: 'psychosocial development' and 'infancy period'.
Recognize that 'psychosocial development' points directly to Erikson's theory.
Recall or visualize the sequence of Erikson's stages.
Match the 'infancy period' (birth to ~18 months) with the first stage in the theory.
Select the option that represents the first stage, which is Trust vs. Mistrust.
Briefly review the other options to confirm they correspond to later developmental stages (toddler, preschool, school age).

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Psychology Baron Misra 5e Part 1 p. 312-314

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Taylor p. 1053-1055

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 1 p. 164-166

Practise the full RUHS, Jaipur, PB B.Sc Nursing Entrance-2020

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.