Industry vs. Inferiority in Erikson's Stages of Development Theory

Developmental psychologist and psychoanalyst Erik Erikson developed a path containing eight stages that describes the psychosocial development of people over their lifetime in terms of key challenges that they face. Stage four, which occurs between age 6 and puberty, contains challenges related to attending school and the new environment school presents.

Importance of Erikson's Stages

• Erikson's eight stages provide a framework for researchers and academics, but the childhood stages also give teachers a measure of the development of children in their classrooms. Bearing stage four in mind, for example, a teacher can make sure that children are taking on tasks appropriate for that stage and having a positive outcome.

Stage Four: Industry vs. Inferiority

• Beginning at about age 6, Erikson observed, a child takes on basic tasks of responsibility in life, such as digging in the garden or painting in art class. This is the "industry" phase. "Inferiority" results if the child faces discouragement in these tasks and sees himself as deficient.

Developmental Significance of Stage Four

• Stage four covers the question of whether the child experiences competence as she makes a major transition in life from home to participating in a school environment. Stage four also begins the child's transition from random play to structured, goal-oriented tasks.

Stage Four Key Items

• In stage four, the child should, on the whole, enjoy being productive and succeeding in tasks and relationships with his peers. Physically and mentally, he should feel competent. Risks include discouragement that results in regression to an earlier stage and attempting to function without adequate confidence resulting in social problems such as being controlled by peers.