Which stage centers on the child’s sense of competence and achievement in school tasks?

Which stage centers on the child’s sense of competence and achievement in school tasks?

• A. Industry vs Inferiority
• B. Autonomy vs Shame and Doubt
• C. Trust vs Mistrust
• D. Identity vs Confusion

Answer: (A)

Industry versus Inferiority is the stage where children focus on mastering new skills and proving themselves through school tasks. They look for feedback from teachers and peers, and when their efforts lead to success and positive recognition, they develop a sense of industry—the belief that they can work hard and become competent. If they experience consistent progress and encouragement, they gain confidence in their abilities; if they frequently struggle or feel undervalued, they may develop inferiority, doubting what they can achieve. By contrast, autonomy versus shame and doubt centers on independence and control during early childhood, trust versus mistrust is about basic reliance on caregivers in infancy, and identity versus confusion is about forming a self-concept during adolescence.

Industry versus Inferiority is the stage where children focus on mastering new skills and proving themselves through school tasks. They look for feedback from teachers and peers, and when their efforts lead to success and positive recognition, they develop a sense of industry—the belief that they can work hard and become competent. If they experience consistent progress and encouragement, they gain confidence in their abilities; if they frequently struggle or feel undervalued, they may develop inferiority, doubting what they can achieve. By contrast, autonomy versus shame and doubt centers on independence and control during early childhood, trust versus mistrust is about basic reliance on caregivers in infancy, and identity versus confusion is about forming a self-concept during adolescence.