Which Erikson stage focuses on developing competence and industry during middle childhood?

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

Answer: (B)

During middle childhood, the key task is building competence through mastering new skills and proving to oneself that abilities can grow with effort. This is Erikson’s stage of industry versus inferiority. When children are given chances to practice, learn, and succeed—with supportive feedback from teachers, family, and peers—they develop a sense of industry: they feel capable, productive, and confident in what they can achieve. If their efforts are consistently discouraged or they experience repeated failures without support, they may develop inferiority, doubting their talents and feeling less capable than their peers. The other stages occur at different life periods: autonomy vs shame and doubt appears in early childhood as independence is explored; trust vs mistrust is foundational in infancy; identity vs confusion emerges in adolescence as they explore who they are.