According to Erikson, which stage involves the conflict of industry vs. inferiority?

The stage that involves the conflict of industry vs. inferiority is indeed the school age stage, which encompasses children aged 6 to 12 years. During this critical period, children start to develop a sense of competence and achievement through mastering various skills and tasks. They engage in school and other activities that promote their ability to work with others and gain recognition for their accomplishments.

This stage is pivotal because children are encouraged to take pride in their accomplishments and abilities, leading to feelings of competency and belief in their skills (industry). Conversely, if children face constant criticism or failure, they may develop feelings of inferiority, leading to a sense of inadequacy and self-doubt. Therefore, the outcomes of this stage play a significant role in shaping a child’s self-esteem and work ethic as they transition through life.

The other developmental stages mentioned in the options focus on different key conflicts and tasks appropriate to those ages, such as trust vs. mistrust in infancy or identity vs. role confusion in adolescence, which are not aligned with the specific conflict of industry versus inferiority.