Which Erikson stage emphasizes developing competence during school-age years?

Which Erikson stage emphasizes developing competence during school-age years?

• A. Identity vs Role Confusion
• B. Intimacy vs Isolation
• C. Industry vs Inferiority
• D. Trust vs Mistrust

Answer: (C)

Developing competence during school-age years is described by Erikson as industry. In this stage, children around ages 6 to 12 are driven to master new skills—reading, writing, math, sports, arts—and to work well with peers and adults. When they experience success and receive constructive encouragement, they build a sense of industry, feeling capable and productive through effort. If they face repeated challenges without support or feel they cannot succeed, they may develop inferiority, doubting their abilities and perceiving themselves as less capable than others. This emphasis on mastering tasks and earning positive feedback is what ties school-age development to industry. The other stages occur at different life periods: identity vs role confusion arises in adolescence, intimacy vs isolation in young adulthood, and trust vs mistrust foundations are laid in infancy.

Developing competence during school-age years is described by Erikson as industry. In this stage, children around ages 6 to 12 are driven to master new skills—reading, writing, math, sports, arts—and to work well with peers and adults. When they experience success and receive constructive encouragement, they build a sense of industry, feeling capable and productive through effort. If they face repeated challenges without support or feel they cannot succeed, they may develop inferiority, doubting their abilities and perceiving themselves as less capable than others. This emphasis on mastering tasks and earning positive feedback is what ties school-age development to industry. The other stages occur at different life periods: identity vs role confusion arises in adolescence, intimacy vs isolation in young adulthood, and trust vs mistrust foundations are laid in infancy.