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ERIKSON

Oral-Sensory Stage

Basic trust vs basic mistrust
Oral sensory
Birth to one year

• Social mistrust demonstrated via ease of feeding, depth of sleep, bowel relaxation
• Depends on consistency and sameness of experience provided by caretakeer
• Second six-months teething and biting moves infant "from getting to taking"
• Weaning leads to "nostalgia for lost paradise"
• If basic trust is strong, child maintains hopeful attitude

During the first stage, the oral-sensory stage, the basic crisis centers on the development of either trust or mistrust. An infant is almost completely dependent on others for the fulfillment of his needs. If these needs are consistently satisfied and if he receives love and stimulation with those he comes in contact with those he comes in contact with, he will develop a sense of trust, not only in others but in himself and in his ability to handle his needs.

If, on the other hand, his needs are not satisfied regularly and he receives little love, attention and stimulation, he will develop a sense of mistrust. If the mistrust is severs, the child may become timid and withdrawn since he has given up hope of ever achieving his goals. Erikson believes that the development of a healthy personality is contingent upon the formation of a basic trust -- the individual's belief that his existence is meaningful.