Which stage is linked to developing a sense of competence through school-age activities and peer comparisons?

Which stage is linked to developing a sense of competence through school-age activities and peer comparisons?

• A. Identity vs Role Confusion
• B. Industry vs Inferiority
• C. Trust vs Mistrust
• D. Generativity vs Stagnation

Answer: (B)

In this stage, children develop a sense of competence by mastering skills and meeting challenges in school and through interactions with peers. When kids put effort into tasks like reading, math, sports, or group projects and receive encouragement for their progress, they begin to feel capable and industrious — a belief in their ability to learn and improve. This sense of industry comes from successful experiences and recognition from teachers, parents, and peers. If challenges become overwhelming or feedback is mostly negative, a child may start to doubt their abilities and feel inferior, thinking they aren’t as capable as their peers. This focus on building skills and proving oneself in a school-age context is what Erikson identified as the stage of industry versus inferiority. For contrast, trust versus mistrust centers on infancy and dependability of caregivers, autonomy versus shame on toddler days when self-sufficiency is developing, and generativity versus stagnation reflects concerns in adulthood about contributing to the next generation. Identity versus role confusion appears in adolescence as individuals form their sense of self.

In this stage, children develop a sense of competence by mastering skills and meeting challenges in school and through interactions with peers. When kids put effort into tasks like reading, math, sports, or group projects and receive encouragement for their progress, they begin to feel capable and industrious — a belief in their ability to learn and improve. This sense of industry comes from successful experiences and recognition from teachers, parents, and peers. If challenges become overwhelming or feedback is mostly negative, a child may start to doubt their abilities and feel inferior, thinking they aren’t as capable as their peers.

This focus on building skills and proving oneself in a school-age context is what Erikson identified as the stage of industry versus inferiority. For contrast, trust versus mistrust centers on infancy and dependability of caregivers, autonomy versus shame on toddler days when self-sufficiency is developing, and generativity versus stagnation reflects concerns in adulthood about contributing to the next generation. Identity versus role confusion appears in adolescence as individuals form their sense of self.