Erikson: Trust Versus Mistrust

Trust versus Mistrust Erikson expanded on Freud’s thoughts on the importance of the parent-infant relationship. He believed the quality of care giving was what is important for a healthy outcome during infancy. For example, “relieving discomfort promptly and sensitively, holding the infant gently, waiting patiently until the baby has had enough milk, and weaning when the infant shows less interest in breast or bottle” all were believed increased the outcome of a healthy baby (Berk 248). Of course, no parent can be perfectly aligned with their baby and his or her needs, and many factors come into play, but the text book, Infants, Children, and Adolescents, explains “when the balance of care is sympathetic and loving, the psychological conflict of the first year, basic trust versus mistrust, is resolved on the positive side” (Berk 248). An infant who trusts, “expects the world to be good and gratifying,” consequently, the infant is confident about “venturing out and exploring it and he emerges from the stage well-prepared for the challenges of toddlerhood” (Berk 248). On the other hand, the mistrustful baby who cannot depend on kindness and compassion of others, is more likely to protect themselves by withdrawing from people or activities that surround her (Berk). During my infant years, I experienced many ear infections due to an unknown reason. These ear infections lead to not only damaging my ears but caused my parents many sleepless nights due to excessive crying as an infant. My mother was unaware of the cause of the excessive crying, eventually causing me to throw up. The doctor even miss diagnosed me and said there were no problems with my ears. My mothers intuition was right all along, but there was little she could do to heal my pain. Growing up, my mother came from a household in which was jagged. There might have been very little love circling the home but it was never displayed. I can recall back to my mother saying how this has affected her and

Cited: Adams, G., & Kacerguis, M. A. (1980). Erikson stage resolution: The relationship betweenidentity and intimacy. Journal of Youth and Adolescense, 9(2), 117-126. Retrieved from http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF02087930 Berk, L. E. (2012). Infants, children, and adolescents, books a la carte edition. (7th ed.). Boston, MA. Prentice Hall. Bradley, C. (1997). Generativity–stagnation: Development of a status model. 17(3), 262-290. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0273229797904329