Which Eriksonian stage is tied to the idea that early trust or mistrust can shape later life?

• A. Trust vs Mistrust
• B. Autonomy vs Shame/Doubt
• C. Initiative vs Guilt
• D. Industry vs Inferiority

Answer: (A)

Early experiences of trust shaping later life are captured in Erikson's first psychosocial stage: trust versus mistrust. In infancy, the child relies on caregivers to meet basic needs with consistency, warmth, and responsiveness. When those needs are met reliably, the infant develops a sense of trust, feeling that the world is predictable and people can be depended on. This foundational trust fosters hope and security that influence how they relate to others and handle challenges as they grow. If care is inconsistent or neglectful, mistrust can form, leading to expectations that others are unreliable and the world is unpredictable, which can color later social and emotional development. The other stages—autonomy vs. shame/doubt, initiative vs. guilt, and industry vs. inferiority—occur later and focus on independence, exploration, and competence rather than the essential trust established in infancy.