PSYCHOSOCIAL THEORY BY ERIK ERICKSONTrust Vs. MistrustThe trust versus mistrust stage is the first stage ofErik Eriksonstheory ofpsychosocial development. This stage occurs between birth and approximately 18 months of age. According to Erikson, the important event in this stage is feeding. According to Erikson, the infant will develop a sense of trust only if the parent or caregiver is responsive and consistent with the basic needs being meet. The need for care and food must be met with comforting regularity. The infant must first form a trusting relationship with the parent or care giver, otherwise a sense of mistrust will develop. The infant's need for care, familiarity, comfort and nourishment are met. Parental consistency and responsiveness is essential for the sense of trust to develop. Babies who are not securely attached to their mothers are less cooperative and more aggressive in their interactions with their mothers. As they grow older, they become less competent and sympathetic with peers. They also explore their environment with less enthusiasm and persistence. According to the client, his parents were uninvolved in his life ever since he was a child. He was also left in the care of their house maids. With these, we may assume that the client has received inconsistent care form in his childhood and lack of parental response. Because of the inconsistent care rendered, the clients unattached and distant relationship with his parents and also with his siblings may have resulted.Autonomy Vs. Shame and DoubtGaining a sense of personal control over the world is important at thisstage of development. Toilet training plays a major role; learning to control ones body functions leads to a feeling of control, a sense of independence and voluntarism. Other important events include gaining more control over food choices, toy preferences and clothing selection. If parents do not maintain a reassuring, confident attitude and do not reinforce the child's efforts to master basic motor and cognitive skills, children may begin to feel shame; they may learn to doubt their abilities to manage the world on their own terms. Children who experience too much doubt at this stage will lack confidence in their own powers throughout life. During the group therapies, the client participates when asked but not often does he volunteer. It may be brought by the constricting environment that his parents has might imposed upon him during that stage.