Sammy is in third grade. When he won the spelling bee, he felt proud of his accomplishment. However, when he could not complete his arithmetic assignment on time, he felt incompetent. Which of the following Erikson's childhood stages does this scenario reflect?

A. autonomy vs. shame and doubt

B. initiative vs. guilt

C. industry vs. inferiority

D. trust vs. mistrust

Answer: The childhood stage that this scenario reflects is C. industry vs. inferiority.

Explanation: According to Erikson, the industry vs. inferiority stage starts when a child is six years old and it extends until he/she is eleven. It is either characterized by a boost in confidence when the children's skills are tested at school and they receive a positive feedback from their teachers or by a feeling of incompetence when they struggle to develop their skills and their efforts are not recognized. Sammy is going through this stage because he is eight years old (he is in third grade) and also because there are moments in which he feels proud and encouraged and others in which he feels inferior for not being able to succeed in a task he considers to be important.

C. industry vs. inferiority