Which of the following would Erik Erikson be most likely to recommend about soothing a crying infant?
A)Do not soothe the baby because he or she will be spoiled.
B)Pick up the baby and soothe him or her so that a healthy sense of trust develops.
C)Allow the infant to cry because this will encourage the development of a self-sufficient child.
D)Soothe the baby every other time,so that he or she does not become dependent on external comforters.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Erik Erikson, a developmental psychologist, believed in the importance of the first stage of psychosocial development, which is Trust vs. Mistrust. During this stage, infants must develop a sense of trust in their environment and caregivers. Therefore, he would most likely recommend picking up and soothing the crying infant so that a healthy sense of trust can develop. Option A is not recommended as ignoring the baby's cries can lead to the development of mistrust. Option C is not recommended as it can lead to the development of anxiety and insecurity in the child. Option D suggests an inconsistent approach, which can also lead to mistrust and insecurity.

Which of the Following Would Erik Erikson Be Most Likely