Which psychosocial task is central during school-age years?

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

Answer: (A)

During school-age years, the central psychosocial task is developing a sense of industry through mastering school-related skills and tasks. Children learn to read, write, calculate, problem-solve, and work with peers; success in these areas, along with positive feedback from teachers, parents, and peers, builds a sense of competence and pride in their abilities. This emergence of industry helps them feel confident to take on new challenges and persist through difficulties. Conversely, repeated failures or lack of encouragement can lead to a sense of inferiority, where the child doubts their skills and feels less capable than peers.

This stage is distinct from other periods: trust versus mistrust is the foundation built in infancy, autonomy versus shame occurs in toddlerhood as children begin to assert independence, and identity versus role confusion develops in adolescence as they explore who they are and what they want to become.