Commission for Case Manager Certification (CCMC) Practice Exam

The Trust vs. Mistrust stage, which occurs during the first year of life, is pivotal in establishing the foundation for emotional and social development. A defining feature of this stage is forming secure attachments between the infant and primary caregivers. When caregivers consistently provide care, affection, and responsiveness to an infant's needs, the infant develops trust, believing that the world is a safe and reliable place.

This sense of trust is crucial as it influences the child's future relationships and their ability to express and manage emotions. Secure attachments formed during this stage promote healthy emotional and psychological development, laying the groundwork for later stages of Erikson’s theory, where children learn to explore independence, develop a sense of identity, and navigate feelings of guilt. Thus, the formation of secure attachments is at the core of the Trust vs. Mistrust stage, marking it as a fundamental aspect of healthy development.