Maternity Nursing Q 152

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If parents keep a toddler dependent in areas where he is capable of using skills, the toddler will develop a sense of which of the following?

  

     A. Mistrust

     B. Shame

     C. Guilt

     D. Inferiority

    

    

Correct Answer: B. Shame

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According to Erikson, toddlers experience a sense of shame when they are not allowed to develop appropriate independence and autonomy. If children are criticized, overly controlled, or not given the opportunity to assert themselves, they begin to feel inadequate in their ability to survive, and may then become overly dependent upon others, lack self-esteem, and feel a sense of shame or doubt in their abilities.

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Option A: Infants develop mistrust when their needs are not consistently gratified. Failing to acquire the virtue of hope will lead to the development of fear. This infant will carry the basic sense of mistrust with them to other relationships. It may result in anxiety, heightened insecurities, and an over feeling of mistrust in the world around them.

Option C: Preschoolers develop guilt when their initiative needs are not met. If this tendency is squelched, either through criticism or control, children develop a sense of guilt. The child will often overstep the mark in his forcefulness, and the danger is that the parents will tend to punish the child and restrict his initiatives too much.

Option D: While school-agers develop a sense of inferiority when their industry needs are not met. If this initiative is not encouraged, if it is restricted by parents or teachers, then the child begins to feel inferior, doubting his own abilities and therefore may not reach his or her potential.

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