Erikson believed that during infancy, one's ability to adapt is dependent on:

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

When evaluating Erikson's theory about infancy, we should focus on how early experiences shape the ability to adapt. 
Option 1: 'minimizing mistrust.' While reducing mistrust is part of the developmental process, Erikson emphasizes balance rather than simply minimizing mistrust; overly minimizing mistrust ignores the necessary development of basic trust paired with some vigilance. 
Option 2: 'maximizing trust.' This suggests an absolute or excessive level of trust, which is not how Erikson framed early development. He argued for a balanced interplay between trust and mistrust, not a unidirectional maximization. 
Option 3: 'increasing dystonic tendencies and decreasing syntonic tendencies.' This pairing is not part of Erikson's infant stage description. The terms dystonic and syntonic are not used in his psychosocial framework to describe infant adaptation. 
Option 4: 'a proper ratio of trust to mistrust.' This option captures Erikson's idea that healthy infancy involves achieving a balance between trust and mistrust, allowing the child to develop adaptive functioning as interactions with caregivers shape expectations and coping. The notion of a proper balance aligns with the concept that both trust and mistrust play essential, complementary roles in early development, contributing to the infant's ability to engage with the world and form a secure base. 
In summary, the reasoning across the other options reveals misunderstandings about balance, extremes, or terminology, whereas the balanced ratio best reflects Erikson's emphasis on foundational trust dialectically interwoven with mistrust during infancy.

Erikson believed that during infancy, one's ability to adapt is dependent on:

View Explanation

Log in for full answers

Similar Questions

A teenager exploring different career paths, values, and peer groups is working through which Eriksonian stage?

According to Erikson, the_____ stage of development involves reflecting on the past and either piecing together a positive review or concluding that one's life has not been well spent.

Mr. Clarke is a 50-year-old social worker who experiences a sense of personal fulfillment in contributing to the well-being of others. Erik Erikson would have suggested that Mr. Clarke experiences

According to Erik Erikson, middle childhood is a time in which children must resolve the conflict between

According to Erik Erikson, during middle and late childhood children are in the stage of

Industry versus inferiority is Erikson's psychosocial crisis of:

What is necessary for proper adaptation according to Erikson's psychosocial development theory?

In contrast to Freud, Erikson placed more emphasis on social and historical than on biological influences.

More Practical Tools for Students Powered by AI Study Helper

Homework AI Solver

Stylized AI Paper Writer

Plagiarism Checker Assistant

Citation AI Academic Writing Tool

In-Class Translation Assistant

AI Note Generator

AI Quiz Answers

Past Exam Questions from University Test Bank

Smart Practice Assistant

Adaptive Practice

Making Your Study Simpler