In Erikson's theory, which stage focuses on developing competence during school-age years?

• A. Autonomy vs Shame
• B. Industry versus Inferiority
• C. Identity vs Role Confusion
• D. Integrity vs Despair

Answer: (B)

This question tests a stage where school-age children focus on mastering new skills and feeling capable through effort and feedback. In Erikson’s framework, this is called industry versus inferiority. Industry means developing competence by learning, practicing, and producing tangible work—reading, writing, math, sports, crafts—and feeling proud of those accomplishments. When children receive support and constructive feedback from teachers, parents, and peers, they build a sense that they can achieve goals through perseverance. If their efforts are consistently discouraged or they feel incapable, they may develop inferiority, doubting their abilities and feeling less confident to try new tasks. The other stages align with different life periods—autonomy vs. shame is the toddler years, identity vs. role confusion is adolescence, and integrity vs. despair is late adulthood—so those do not focus on developing competence during school-age years.