Trust versus mistrust is Erikson's first stage of psychosocial development.

• A. Sullivan's First Stage
• B. Erikson's First Stage
• C. Freud's Oral Stage
• D. Piaget's Sensorimotor Stage

Answer: (B)

Trust versus mistrust is the first psychosocial stage in Erikson's theory, spanning birth to about 18 months. In this stage, a child forms a basic sense of safety and reliability based on whether a caregiver consistently meets needs like feeding, comfort, and soothing. When care is responsive and predictable, the child develops trust and a hopeful expectation that the world is dependable. If care is inconsistent or neglectful, mistrust can form, leading to fear and insecurity that echo into later relationships. This emphasis on early relational experiences distinguishes Erikson’s psychosocial focus from Freud’s psychosexual idea of the oral stage and Piaget’s sensorimotor focus on cognitive development; Sullivan’s framework describes different stages of interpersonal relations.