What does Erikson's theory of psychosocial development emphasize for infants?

Erikson's theory of psychosocial development emphasizes the importance of developing a basic sense of trust in infants during the first stage of development, which he describes as "Trust vs. Mistrust." This stage occurs during the first year of life and is crucial for an infant's emotional and psychological growth.

According to Erikson, infants depend on their caregivers to provide reliable care and affection. When caregivers meet the infant’s needs consistently and responsively, the infant learns to trust the world and the people in it, leading to a sense of security. This foundational trust influences all future relationships and helps shape the individual’s approach to engaging with others throughout their lives.

In contrast, if an infant's needs are not adequately met, it can lead to mistrust, insecurity, and difficulties in forming relationships later on. This early stage is critical as it sets the tone for the subsequent stages of development in Erikson’s model, which build upon the trust established during infancy. Thus, the emphasis on developing a basic sense of trust captures the essence of this phase in a child’s development according to Erikson.