After questioning Joe, the counselor discovers that he has had learning problems all of his life and that school was a painful place since he was constantly taunted by his peers. Joe's fear of new challenges and lack of initiative is a result of failing to achieve mastery over which of the following tasks?
A) Industry versus inferiority
B) Initiative versus guilt
C) Autonomy versus shame and doubt
D) Trust versus mistrust

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Joe's fear of new challenges and lack of initiative, stemming from lifelong learning problems and being taunted at school, aligns with Erikson's stage of Industry versus Inferiority. This stage focuses on mastering skills and achieving competence, and failure to do so can lead to feelings of inferiority.

After Questioning Joe, the Counselor Discovers That He Has Had