In: Psychology
Describe psychosocial development during infancy.
- various theories of development
- temperament
One of the most important psychosocial theory was proposed by Erik Erikson’s 8 stages of development. The first stage refers to the infancy which lasts from birth to 1 1/2 years of age. It’s characterised by trust vs mistrust dilemma. It suggests that children learn to trust others when they are cared and when the parents or care takers spend enough time with them thus developing hope. Otherwise, they would develop into people who mistrust everyone, go lonely and wouldn’t mingle well with people. The mistrust developed in the infancy will affect all the other stages of the child as it grows. Attachment theory suggested by John Bowlby looks into different attachment style depending on the care takers attitude and care towards the child. If the child forms a secure attachment, it would develop into a better human being otherwise, it would have problems when the parents go away or develop stranger anxiety.