What ego virtue develops in the first stage of Erikson's theory?

What ego virtue develops in the first stage of Erikson's theory?

• A. Hope
• B. Will
• C. Purpose
• D. Competence

Answer: (A)

The ego virtue developed in the first stage is hope. In infancy, the key task is to establish basic trust when caregivers consistently meet needs like food, comfort, and safety. This reliable care helps the child feel that the world is predictable and that people can be depended upon. That sense of trust lays the foundation for hope—a belief that future experiences will be positive and that needs will be met. If trust doesn’t form, mistrust and fear can take hold, which undermines the development of hope. The other virtues correspond to later stages (will with autonomy vs. shame, purpose with initiative vs. guilt, and competence with industry vs. inferiority), so hope best fits the first stage.

The ego virtue developed in the first stage is hope. In infancy, the key task is to establish basic trust when caregivers consistently meet needs like food, comfort, and safety. This reliable care helps the child feel that the world is predictable and that people can be depended upon. That sense of trust lays the foundation for hope—a belief that future experiences will be positive and that needs will be met. If trust doesn’t form, mistrust and fear can take hold, which undermines the development of hope. The other virtues correspond to later stages (will with autonomy vs. shame, purpose with initiative vs. guilt, and competence with industry vs. inferiority), so hope best fits the first stage.