According to Erikson "a sense of industry develops during"

Appeared in: KGMU 2024

Explanation

According to Erikson's theory, the 'Industry vs. Inferiority' stage occurs during the school-age years (approximately 6 to 12 years).
During this period, children focus on mastering academic and social skills.
Successful experiences and encouragement from teachers and peers lead to a sense of 'industry' or competence.
Conversely, repeated failures or lack of support can lead to feelings of 'inferiority' and low self-esteem.

Option A: Infancy (birth to 18 months) is characterized by the 'Trust vs. Mistrust' crisis, where the main task is developing a sense of trust in caregivers and the world.
Option B: The toddler period (1-3 years) corresponds to the 'Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt' stage, where children strive for independence and self-control.
Option C: The preschool age (3-6 years) is the 'Initiative vs. Guilt' stage. Here, children begin to assert power and control over their environment by planning activities and making up games.

Visual 1: Infographic: A chart illustrating all eight of Erikson's psychosocial stages, detailing the key crisis, age range, significant relationships, and resulting virtue for each stage.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Erikson's stages of psychosocial development as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding Erikson's stages allows nurses to provide age-appropriate care and support to pediatric patients, helping them meet developmental milestones even during illness or hospitalization.
For a school-aged child, a nurse can promote a sense of industry by allowing them to participate in their own care (e.g., keeping a record of fluid intake), providing schoolwork, and encouraging them to complete tasks.
What if? A hospitalized 9-year-old child is withdrawn and expresses that they 'can't do anything right.' A nurse recognizing these signs of inferiority should intervene by providing opportunities for success with simple, achievable tasks and offering positive reinforcement to rebuild the child's sense of competence.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key terms in the question: 'Erikson' and 'sense of industry'. This points to a specific concept within a major developmental theory.
Recall or look up Erikson's eight stages of psychosocial development.
Match the concept 'industry' to its corresponding stage. The crisis is 'Industry vs. Inferiority'.
Identify the age group associated with the 'Industry vs. Inferiority' stage, which is the school-age child (6-12 years).
Select the option that matches this age group.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full KGMU 2024

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.