In Erikson's theory, Industry vs Inferiority occurs during which age range?

• A. School Age (6 to 12 years)
• B. Toddler (18 months to 3 years)
• C. Infancy (birth to 18 months)
• D. Adolescence (13 to 20)

Answer: (A)

The idea being tested is when a child develops a sense of competence by mastering new skills and meeting expectations. In this stage, children tackle schoolwork, sports, and other activities that require effort and persistence. Positive feedback and real successes foster industry—the belief that they can achieve goals through hard work. Repeated difficulty or harsh evaluation can lead to inferiority, a feeling that they aren’t as capable as their peers. This balance is most clearly observed during the school-age years, roughly six to twelve years old, when academic tasks and social feedback from teachers and peers are central. For context, infancy centers on trust vs. mistrust, toddler years on autonomy vs. shame and doubt, preschool on initiative vs. guilt, and adolescence on identity vs. role confusion.