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Trust Vs Mistrust Theory

1522 Words7 Pages
Erikson, a developmental psychologist, had established stages that explained psychosocial behaviors respective to age groups. In considering the significance of each stage to Erikson’s theory, trust vs. mistrust plays a key role in Muhammad’s development. Trust vs mistrust is centered around infants to eighteen-month old toddlers gaining trust by the care of the caretaker. This trust relies heavily on the caretaker providing basic needs for their survival. His theory explains that if these basic needs are not met, the infant will not develop trust and present anxious behavior. This data is supplemented by Bowlby’s attachment theory, which expresses insecure attachment in infancy causes increased behavioral problems later in development (Carlson, 1998). By experiencing an unsafe environment as an infant, Erikson believed that the infant would grow up untrustworthy of others. Muhammad was faced with adversity as an infant. The adversity presented in his life challenged his personal and spiritual self-development. Other aspects such as geographic, economic, and familial conditions contributed to Muhammad ability to achieve success by handling cultural difficulties in the psychosocial realm. Ultimately, these adverse experiences in the trust vs mistrust stage effectively influenced Muhammad’s choice to become a recognized prophet.

Muhammad was conceived by Abdallah and Aminah around 570 C.E. Abdallah, Muhammad’s father, had a shining light between his eyes, which was portrayed
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