Which of the Following Would Erik Erikson Most Likely Recommend

question 56

Multiple Choice

Which of the following would Erik Erikson most likely recommend to soothe a crying infant?

• A) Do not soothe the baby because he or she will be spoiled.
• B) Pick up the baby and soothe him or her so that a healthy sense of trust develops.
• C) Allow the infant to cry because this will encourage the development of a self-sufficient child.
• D) Soothe the baby every other time, so that he or she does not become dependent on external comforters.

---

Definitions:

Pleasure Principle

A concept in psychoanalytic theory referring to the drive towards immediate satisfaction of instinctual urges and desires.

Physiological Activation

An increase in bodily functions in response to stimuli, indicating a heightened state of arousal.

Yerkes-Dodson Law

A theory suggesting that there is an optimal level of arousal for performance on any task; too little or too much arousal can impede performance.

Self-determination Theory

A psychological theory focused on motivation, concerning people's basic psychological needs for competence, relatedness, and autonomy.