When the
infant learns to anticipate help, he becomes quiet when he hears and sees
preparations being made to feed him, even though nothing has entered his hungry
mouth. The expectation or anticipation of the reduction and satisfaction of the
tension of the inner needs becomes associated with the mother or familiar
figure. If under favorable circumstance when this occurs, the infant can
develop a sense of social trust [being all right, inner certainty and
predictable goodness, sense of personal trustworthiness]. The Infant, not only
begins to trust another, but begins to trust oneself as well. However, if
maternal techniques or responses have failed, forms of discomfort and people
associated with them surface. Behaviors such as discomfort or tension of his
bowels; unwillingness to let the mother out of sight without undue anxiety ;
perhaps biting or unease during feeding; or interference with the depth of his
sleep suggest infant problems.. If and when this occurs, a sense
of distrust is developed [having been deprived, having been divided, and having
been abandoned] .Now we have a disruption of mutuality between mother and
child. The perception, and imagery that help is on its way is necessary and
critical for trust to develop. If not, we have the beginnings of anger,
frustration coupled with a perception of a “bad” non-loving or non- giving
mother .Further, a sense of worthlessness,
inferiority, and inadequacy follow.
On the other
hand, if the mother is too overzealous or overprotective in her behavior, the
child may not be able to learn or develop that anticipation or the expectation
that assistance is on its way. Some frustration is necessary for optimal
development with the key word being “some.” If the mother is too nonresponsive
or neglectful with her child, again, the child may not be able to learn,
develop, anticipate or expect that assistance is on its way. Too much ignoring
or frustration is not good and once again a perception of “bad” mother develops.
If so, infant behaviors of sucking,
watching, searching, fingering, babbling, playing, and imagining may not work
for the specific satisfaction of some pressing need.
To Be
Continued
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