Which Erikson stage is associated with developing a sense of competence through social interactions and achievement during ages 6 to 12?

Which Erikson stage is associated with developing a sense of competence through social interactions and achievement during ages 6 to 12?

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

Answer: (C)

During ages 6 to 12, children focus on mastering new skills and contributing to group activities, which is at the heart of Erikson's stage of industry vs inferiority. When kids experience success in schoolwork, sports, and social interactions, and receive supportive feedback from teachers and peers, they develop a sense of industry—the belief that they can achieve goals through effort and cooperation. This growing competence boosts confidence in their abilities and motivates them to keep trying new challenges. If repeated struggles aren’t met with encouragement or they consistently feel they don’t measure up, they may develop inferiority, doubting their skills and worth. This stage is distinct from earlier stages like trust vs mistrust, which centers on dependability of caregivers in infancy, and autonomy vs shame, which centers on independence in toddler years, as well as from identity vs role confusion in adolescence, which concerns forming a sense of self.

During ages 6 to 12, children focus on mastering new skills and contributing to group activities, which is at the heart of Erikson's stage of industry vs inferiority. When kids experience success in schoolwork, sports, and social interactions, and receive supportive feedback from teachers and peers, they develop a sense of industry—the belief that they can achieve goals through effort and cooperation. This growing competence boosts confidence in their abilities and motivates them to keep trying new challenges. If repeated struggles aren’t met with encouragement or they consistently feel they don’t measure up, they may develop inferiority, doubting their skills and worth. This stage is distinct from earlier stages like trust vs mistrust, which centers on dependability of caregivers in infancy, and autonomy vs shame, which centers on independence in toddler years, as well as from identity vs role confusion in adolescence, which concerns forming a sense of self.