According to Erikson's model, the task assigned to an infant is:

• A. Trust vs Mistrust
• B. Autonomy vs Shame
• C. Initiative vs Guilt
• D. Industry vs Inferiority

Answer: (A)

In infancy, the central task is establishing trust through consistent, responsive care. When caregivers reliably meet an infant’s basic needs—food, comfort, soothing, and warmth—the infant learns that the world is a dependable place and that others can be trusted. This foundational sense of trust supports emotional security and sets the stage for navigating later relationships. If care is inconsistent or neglectful, the infant may develop mistrust, leading to insecurity about the world and others.

The other stages occur later: autonomy vs. shame arises in the toddler years as children start to assert independence; initiative vs. guilt appears in early childhood as they begin planning and initiating activities; industry vs. inferiority develops in the school-age years when mastering new skills.