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The first stage of Erikson's Theory of Development is centered around the concept of basic trust versus mistrust. This stage occurs in the infancy period, roughly from birth to 18 months. During this critical time, infants rely heavily on their caregivers to provide consistent care, warmth, and nurturing. When caregivers meet these needs reliably, infants develop a sense of basic trust, which lays a foundation for future relationships. In contrast, inconsistent or neglectful care can lead to mistrust, affecting the child's ability to feel secure and trusting in the world around them.

The other options mention concepts that relate to different aspects of development but do not accurately represent the initial stage defined by Erikson. For instance, learning muscle control pertains more to physical development rather than psychosocial trust in infant relationships. Good parenting is crucial for successful development but is not a stage in Erikson's model. The beginning of individual wills refers to a later stage where autonomy becomes significant, which occurs after the trust versus mistrust stage has been established.