(c) In each stage described by Erikson, the first attribute mentioned is a , or
desirable, personality trait.Answers: (a) Psychosocial development; (b) social world; (c) positive.Trust versus mistrustis associated with infancy (birth to two years old). An
infant with a sense of trust tends to thrive and expects good things to happen.
Conversely, an infant with a sense of mistrust sometimes displays a failure to thrive
syndrome. A lack of interest in the surrounding world and poor health, associated
with mistrust, are characteristics ofinfantile depression.Affection, displayed in
the form of loving attention, tends to foster the trait of trust. Lack of affection
tends to foster the trait of mistrust. These last two statements concerning affection
tend to apply to future stages as well. In general, affection and positive reinforce-
ment tend to bring forth the positive traits.
Autonomy versus shame and doubtis associated with toddlerhood (two
to three years old). A toddler with a sense of autonomy will be interested in
exploring the immediate world and display an interest in novel stimulation. A
certain amount of self-direction will emerge. Conversely, a toddler with a sense
of shame and doubt will tend to hold back, to seem shy, and to lack self-
confidence.(a) An infant with a sense of tends to thrive and expects good things to
happen.(b) A lack of interest in the surrounding world and poor health are characteristics of
.
(c) A toddler with a sense of and doubt will tend to hold back, to seem shy,
and to lack.
Answers: (a) trust; (b) infantile depression; (c) shame; self-confidence.Initiative versus guiltis associated with the preschool period (three to six
years old). A preschooler with a sense of initiative will be likely to start a project
and see it through to completion. For example, four-year-old Rosalyn says, “I’m
going to color all of the pictures in my coloring book.” Conversely, a preschooler
with a sense of guilt is hesitant, does not seek challenges, and holds back when an
opportunity for self-expression presents itself.
Industry versus inferiorityis associated with middle childhood (six to
twelve years old). A child with a sense of industry will show an interest in school,
study, complete homework, agree to do reasonable chores, and in general display
responsible behavior. A child with a sense of inferiority will avoid studying,
homework, and chores. The child obtains no satisfaction from these activities,
particularly if the child often obtains poor grades or receives too much parental
criticism.Developmental Psychology: How Children Become Adults 161