Which developmental task is typical for school-age children (approximately ages 6 to 12 years)?

Which developmental task is typical for school-age children (approximately ages 6 to 12 years)?

• A. Trust versus mistrust
• B. Autonomy versus doubt
• C. Industry versus inferiority
• D. Identity versus role confusion

Answer: (C)

In school-age children the key psychosocial task is developing competence by mastering new skills and tasks. This means they focus on learning to read, write, think through problems, participate in group activities, and handle responsibilities with some independence. When they experience success and receive encouragement, they build a sense of industry—a belief that through effort, practice, and persistence they can achieve goals. This leads to pride in accomplishments and a willingness to take on challenges. If, however, they face chronic failure or harsh criticism, they may develop a sense of inferiority, doubting their abilities and avoiding tasks that require effort. This pattern fits the 6- to 12-year age range, when school involvement and peer feedback heavily influence self-perception. By contrast, trust versus mistrust occurs in infancy, autonomy versus doubt in the toddler years, and identity versus role confusion in adolescence, not during the school-age period.

In school-age children the key psychosocial task is developing competence by mastering new skills and tasks. This means they focus on learning to read, write, think through problems, participate in group activities, and handle responsibilities with some independence. When they experience success and receive encouragement, they build a sense of industry—a belief that through effort, practice, and persistence they can achieve goals. This leads to pride in accomplishments and a willingness to take on challenges. If, however, they face chronic failure or harsh criticism, they may develop a sense of inferiority, doubting their abilities and avoiding tasks that require effort. This pattern fits the 6- to 12-year age range, when school involvement and peer feedback heavily influence self-perception. By contrast, trust versus mistrust occurs in infancy, autonomy versus doubt in the toddler years, and identity versus role confusion in adolescence, not during the school-age period.