Trust vs mistrust is the first stage of Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, which occurs during the first year of a person's life. During this stage, infants learn to trust or mistrust their caregivers based on how their needs are met. If a caregiver consistently meets a child's needs for food, comfort, and care, the child will develop a sense of trust in the world and others. However, if a child's needs are not consistently met, they may develop a sense of mistrust and insecurity. This stage forms the foundation for the individual's ability to form relationships and trust others throughout their life.
